Safe Biking & Driving Practices

• May 15, 2023
• Driver Safety, Bike Safety

Biking is a popular activity in many areas, especially the Kansas City area, but when a bicycle and a vehicle collide, the cyclist is typically the one seriously injured. Following proper safety measures can reduce accidents and protect both cyclists and motorists.

According to the NHTSA, 1,166 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2023.

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How Do Bicycle Accidents Happen?

Collisions between bicycles and vehicles commonly occur due to driver misjudgment, distraction, or road conditions. Here are some frequent accident scenarios:

Left cross: A car is coming towards the bicyclist and makes a sudden left turn directly into the cyclist or in front of the cyclist.

Blind Spot Left Cross: When the cyclist is riding to the right and behind a car going straight, and a left-turning motorist sees a gap behind that car and quickly turns behind the car but into the path of the cyclist.

Right hook: When a cyclist passes a slow-moving car on the right, and the car suddenly turns right into the cyclist.

Trailer whip effect: When a driver simply jerks or jolts their steering wheel too quickly, causing the trailer behind the vehicle to shift violently. This can be deadly for a cyclist.

See more on How to Not Get Hit by Cars.

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Safety Tips. Stay Safe While Cycling.

Bicyclists share the road with cars, trucks, and pedestrians, making safety a top priority. Bicyclists are also subject to the same rules of the road as any other vehicle. Be sure to follow these key bike safety tips to protect yourself while riding

• Gear up for visibility. Always wear equipment to protect you and to make you more visible to other drivers on the road. This includes wearing a bike helmet, wearing bright clothing and reflective gear, and having reflectors on your bike.
• Choose safe routes. Plan your route so that you are driving on roads with less traffic and slower speeds.
• Ride defensively. This means being alert to the surrounding traffic and trying to anticipate what other drivers may do.
• Follow traffic rules. Ride with the flow of the traffic, obey street signs and signals, and use proper hand signals for turns.
• Watch for road hazards. Be alert for hazards to avoid, such as potholes, grates, and debris in the roadway.
• Avoid distractions. No texting or even listening to music — anything that might take your focus off the road.
• Check before changing lanes. Look over your shoulder before changing lanes.
• Stay off sidewalks. Avoid sidewalk riding. Cars backing out of driveways may not see cyclists.

Looking for more tips? Check out “The Do’s and Don’ts of Cycling Safety” and resources from the NHTSA on bike safety.

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Cycling Safety
• Bicycle Safety, Helmets, Rules of the Road (Source: NHTSA)
• Bike Safety: Pre-Ride Bicycle Safety Checklist (NHTSA)
• Bike Safety: Fitting a Bicycle (NHTSA)

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Safe Driving Practices for Motorists

Drivers play a key role in preventing bicycle accidents. Follow these precautions to ensure cyclists stay safe:

• Yield to bicyclists as you would other motorists and be sure not to underestimate their speed.
• Use caution when turning right so that you do not cut off a cyclist.
• Give cyclists enough room when passing.
• Never pass too closely. It is not safe to pass a bicyclist going downhill, around curves or when they are going the same speed as traffic.
• Acknowledge cyclists with eye contact or a wave so they know you have seen them.
• Stay aware of  bike lanes. Do not drift into them unexpectedly and pay attention to when it ends.
• Understand hand signals used by bicyclists. You should be familiar with these signals so you know the cyclist’s intention.

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Need Legal Help After a Bicycle Accident?

If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle-motor vehicle accident, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm is ready to help. Our experienced attorneys will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Call (877) 284-6600 for expert legal assistance.

START YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION TODAY

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Past results afford no guarantee of future results and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published April 24, 2017. It was reviewed on May 5, 2023, updated for content and accuracy, and re-published on May 15, 2023. Reviewed and edited last on April 25, 2025.