ALT-3 Motoring and Cycling Sharing the Road
Automobiles and bicycles share an uneasy alliance upon the road, due mainly to the inherent difference between these modes of transport. The bicycle is a smaller type of transportation and its size and profile means that other road users, particularly motorists, can easily miss it. Furthermore, the rider is in a more vulnerable position than vehicle drivers and passengers. Therefore, it is important for the motorist to recognise and respect the rights of the cyclist as well as treating any approach to them with common sense and caution.
Passing motor vehicles causes one of the major areas of cycling accidents on busy roads. The stability of a cyclist is fragile at the best of times and the imbalance caused by the slipstream of a passing vehicle can be hazardous, as it will create an unexpected wind change and surge that can lead to the cyclist losing their balance or being pushed off course. This is especially the case with larger and heavy goods vehicles. Therefore it is important when passing a cyclist to ensure that these road users are given a wide berth. Another reason for this is the fact that the cyclist might need to make a change of direction to avoid road obstacles such as drains. If the motorist is too close when overtaking, this again can cause an accident.
The second major issue that adds to the casualty and fatality levels of cyclists occurs at road junctions. Because of their small profile, it is often difficult to be able to see a cyclist coming up on the nearside of your vehicle. If one is turning in the same direction as the cyclist, unless the motorists is especially vigilant and observant it is easy to cut across the path of the cyclist, causing them to have an accident or, even worse, hitting them with the vehicle. This is another area where larger and commercial vehicles need to take special care as in some cases cyclists are often found in areas that are not covered by the motorist's external mirrors.
In the UK it is now compulsory for larger vehicles, where the driving position is higher from the road, to have additional mirrors attached to the sides of their vehicles aimed at these blind spot areas.
As described, when sharing the road with cyclists there are a number of factors that the motorist needs to be aware of. In addition to the obvious vulnerability of the of the rider and cycle it has to be remembered that cyclists are often difficult to see, can be forced to make unexpected changes and require additional consideration to ensure that they can stop the cycle in safety. Therefore, the motorist needs to be courteous towards the cyclists and provide them with a sufficient share of the road to ensure their safety.
