During National Bicycle Safety Month, GTSC Shares Tips On Sharing The Road

May is National Bicycle Safety Month, when the riding season kicks into gear, so the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) is reminding both riders and motorists that everyone is responsible for sharing the road safely with all other users.

“Bicyclists, especially young children, are among the most vulnerable users of our roadways,” said Acting New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Christian Jackstadt. “Drivers must always watch for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians and share the road safely with them. It is also important for bicyclists to be alert, careful and make sure they are always seen.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about 900 bicyclists are killed and another 47,000 injured in crashes nationwide annually.

In 2024, according to preliminary statistics compiled by the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research (ITSMR), there were 7,742 bicycle crashes statewide, of which 49 involved a fatality and 7,245 of which involved an injury.

Here are some tips and guidance to motorists and bicyclists to avoid crashes and share the road responsibly. 

Tips for drivers: 

• Passing bicyclists can be very dangerous. Bicycles sometimes must swerve to avoid obstacles such as a pothole, debris or a car opening a door. If you are too close, you might collide with the bicyclist.
• Bicyclists are also susceptible to wind. Crosswinds may cause a cyclist to swerve into the lane of traffic unexpectedly. Also, when a vehicle drives past a cyclist, the passing vehicle may create a wake that draws the cyclist from their intended path. This could cause the cyclist to suddenly swerve into the traffic lane.
• When you approach a pedestrian or cyclist, don’t assume they are aware of you. If you are approaching from behind, they may not hear you. Whenever possible, slow down and give them some extra room.
• Driving defensively applies not just when you are driving, but also when you are parked. When parked or getting ready to pull out, be aware that bicyclists may come within 3-5 feet of your door.
• One technique that can help with this is to Reach, Swivel, and Look:
• REACH: use your right hand (not the left hand) to reach for the handle to open the driver’s door.
• SWIVEL: By reaching for the driver’s door handle with your right hand, this will cause your body to turn to the left and help you look for a bicycle that may be overtaking you.

LOOK: Look alongside and to the rear of your car to search for hazards.

Tips for bicyclists:

• Ride with traffic, not against it.
• Use the shoulder or the bike lane rather than the road whenever it is safe to do so. It's the law!
• Use hand signals when preparing to make a turn.
• Obey traffic signs and signals.
• Don't cling to other vehicles.
• Don't assume a driver has seen you. Establish eye contact or adjust your activity to make sure they are aware of your presence.
• Use a headlight and taillight when riding at night. Use front and rear reflectors, spoke reflectors and pedal reflectors.
• Wear light-colored clothing and add reflective material to increase your visibility at night.
• Use your horn, bell, and/or voice to communicate your presence to other drivers sharing the road with you.
• Keep your bicycle's tires, brakes and safety equipment in good working order.
• Look behind you and all around. The more you observe other vehicles and pedestrians around you the safer you will be.
• Wear a helmet! It’s required for ages 14 and under but beneficial for all. 
• Avoid distractions. Don’t bike and use a cellphone. 
   

DMV offers advice for bicyclists in its driver manual, and GTSC offers bicycle safety information on its website. You can learn about bike rodeos, helmet-fitting events, and find educational material and resources. 

For more information about GTSC, visit https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/, or follow the GTSC conversation on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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