Drivers and cyclists need to share the road
Toolbox
Published: August 19, 2007
Q. What are some tips for cyclists and drivers to make the roads safer?
A. Unfortunately, cyclists need to understand that any accident with a car will always result in the cyclist losing. Cars weigh about one ton – cyclists weigh a little less. Keeping that in mind and riding defensively to avoid any situations where there could be an accident is important.
Cyclists should also remember how difficult it is for a car to see you when they are accustomed to seeing much larger vehicles on the road. Motorcyclists also face this same problem of visibility and the solution is the same: Always assume that drivers cannot see you and leave yourself an out to every situation.
From a driver's perspective, visibility of cyclists is very low and paying attention while driving is very important. Trying to avoid distractions like cell phones and map reading while driving makes the roads safer for everyone. When passing a cyclist, make sure to slow down and give a little extra room. The road conditions in Vermont can be very poor and require cyclists to maneuver quickly to avoid potholes and cracks in the pavement.
Cyclists never enjoy slowing a car down by riding more in the lane of traffic, but sometimes it is necessary to avoid a road hazard that can cause a crash with the narrow-tired bicycles. In Vermont, cyclists are allowed to take up the whole lane in certain situations. Some common instances include when cyclists are making a left-hand turn, when they're crossing a busy intersection, when there's debris in the bike lane or if they're biking downhill at a high speed.
Even if cars are larger, legally cyclists can have the right of way over a vehicle if they deem it necessary. This is intended to protect the weaker of the two parties.
(Darby Thomas is an East Montpelier native who won the 2002 NCAA road bike championship and later competed for the U.S. National Team. He is currently living in Finland with his fiancée and is competing in triathlons.)
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