How to safely share the road with cyclists

It’s summer, and that means more and more people are using different modes of transportation.

ICBC wants to remind the public about sharing the road safely with all cyclists!

According to ICBC, six cyclists are injured every day in the summer in B.C. On average, 22 cyclists in the North are injured every year.

"More crashes mean more deaths, injuries and claims, which is why we need to work together to make roads safer," said Lindsay Matthews, ICBC's acting vice-president responsible for road safety.

"We sponsor Bike to Work Week as an opportunity to educate both drivers and cyclists. It's part of our commitment to support road safety programs throughout the province. Whether you're a driver or a cyclist, please do your part to drive smart."

ICBC has released a list of general tips for drivers including:

• Staying alert, especially at intersections, and be ready to yield the right-of-way.
• Watch for cyclists on the road and make eye contact if you can, so they can anticipate your next move.
• Shoulder check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left.
• Both drivers and passengers must shoulder check for cyclists before opening their vehicle door.
• Maintain at least three seconds of following distance behind cyclists and at least one metre when passing a cyclist.

But it’s not just drivers that need to be cautious, cyclists also need to be aware of what they can do in order to keep everyone on the road safe.

• Obey all traffic signs and signals and follow the rules of the road.
• Use designated bike routes whenever possible.
• If there's no bike lane, keep to the right-hand side of the road as much as it's safe to do so. It's illegal to ride on most sidewalks and crosswalks.
• Use caution around parked vehicles. Be aware of people in vehicles and taxis to avoid getting hit by an opening door. It's best to keep at least one metre away from parked vehicles.
• Before making any turns, shoulder check and hand signal in advance.

For more information about cycling, visit the cycling safety page on ICBC’s website.

Stay safe, PG!