bike commuter safety

8/6/2019 Bike Commuter Safety

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BikeCommuter SafetyChevron – RWQCBAnnual Update MeetingSacramento, CAFebruary 7, 2008



FACTS

• First car related bicyclist fatality: NYC, 1896• Around 700 cyclists die per year in U.S., and 89%of those are male (44,000 die in car crashes)

• Most deaths occur on major roads

• Four states (CA, FL, NY, and TX) accounted for43% of bicycle deaths in 1999

• One in every 20 bicyclists is injured annually

• Health and Enjoyment Benefits of CyclingOutweigh the Risks



STEPS TOWARDS SAFER BIK ING

• Step 1 – Plan Your Route• Step 2 – Check Bike for Safety

• Step 3 – Wear Safety Gear• Step 4 – Bike Defensively

• Step 5 – Avoid Common Collisions

• Step 6 – Be Healthy and Have Fun!



St ep 1: Plan your rout e



St ep 1: Plan your rout e

• Use roads withdedicated bike lanes

• Use side streets• Bike paths separated

from the road

• Traffic Considerations• Timing



St ep 2: Chec k Bik e for Safet y

• Tires

• Brakes

• Pedals• Gears

• Lights



St ep 3 : Safe t y Gear



St ep 4: Bik e Defensively

• Avoid busy streets

• Use lights

• Use hand signals• Take the whole lane

when safe

• Ride as if you wereinvisible



St ep 5: Avoid Com m on Col l is ions

Type #1 – The Right Cross

• Use a Headlight• Honk!

• Slow Down

• Ride farther Left ifSafe




Type #2 – The Door Prize

• Be aware ofoccupants of parkedcars

• Ride to the left if safe




Type #3 – Red Light of Death

• Take a lane• Don’t stop in blind

spot next to car

• Either pull up (A)• Or pull back (B)

YES

NO




Type #4 – The Right Hook

• Don’t ride on sidewalk• Ride to the left

• Glance in mirror/look

behind you beforeturning right

• Don’t pass on the right




Type #5 – The Left Cross

• Don’t ride on sidewalk• Use headlight

• Wear bright clothes

• Don’t pass on the right

• Slow Down




Type #6 – The Rear End

• Look behind before

merging left• Avoid riding in parking

lane• Reflective Clothing

• Use a mirror• Choose wide, slow streets• Use Rear Light




Type #7 – The Crosswalk Slam

• Don’t ride on sidewalk

• Use headlight

• Wear bright clothes• Slow Down




Type #8 – The Wrong-Way

Wallop

• Ride with Traffic



Heal t h Benef i t s o f Cyc l ing

• Cycling reduces risk of heart disease, high blood

pressure, obesity, diabetes• 15-minute ride to-from work 5 days/week burns

11 pounds of body mass per year

• Reduces stress and improves mood• Cyclists absorb lower levels of pollutants fromtraffic fumes than car drivers

• Cycling is one of the few physical activities that

can be undertaken by a majority of the populationas part of a daily routine

• Cycling is fun ☺



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