From children riding to school to older adults staying active and healthy, bicycling is both a pastime and a mode of transportation for thousands of Americans. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe. It takes drivers and bicyclists alike to ensure safety on the roads.
In 2023, 1,166 bicyclists were killed and an estimated 49,489 were injured in traffic crashes. Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Vehicle drivers should always give bicyclists plenty of room on the roads, and bicyclists should always be aware of their surroundings.
States consider a bicycle a vehicle when it is operated on the road. For this reason, bicyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws as vehicle drivers. NHTSA and the Airport Corridor Transportation Association (ACTA) offer the following tips to keep bicyclists safe:
Tips for Bicyclists — Before Heading Out
-
Ride a correctly fitting bicycle. It is difficult to control a bike if it’s not the right size.
-
In addition to a properly fitting bike helmet, a bicyclist should wear bright clothing during the day and reflective gear at night to make them more visible on the road.
-
Affix a white front light and red rear light and reflectors to the bicycle for nighttime riding or when visibility is poor.
Tips for Bicyclists — On the Road
-
Drive in the same direction as traffic. Obey street signs, signals, and road markings.
-
Do not drive distracted. Keep eyes, ears, and focus on the road and traffic.
-
Watch for pedestrians and pass them with care by first announcing “on your left/right” or by using a bell. Bicyclists should ride in the same direction as traffic.
-
When crossing a street, slow down and look for traffic (left-right-left and behind). Be prepared to stop, follow traffic signals, and never assume drivers will see the bicyclist.
-
It’s best to avoid riding on the sidewalk, but if that is the only option, bicyclists should check their state’s law to make sure it’s legal.
For more safety tips and information on bicycle safety, including helpful videos, visit NHTSA.gov/BicycleSafety.