It’s official—bicycles are back! Not that they ever went away, but U.S. Census Bureau information shows a definite uptick in how many Americans are taking their bikes on the roadways instead of their cars. May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, so take a quick refresher course on how to share the road with your two-wheeled neighbor.

More People Are Biking to Work

According to the 2012 American Community Survey, almost 850,000 Americans primarily bike to work. While that’s only 0.61 percent of commuters, that number is still a 9 percent jump over 2011. In Bicycle-Friendly Communities (as designated by the National Bicycle League), the rise is even more dramatic—these urban areas have seen double-digit increases in the numbers of people getting around by their own manpower.  

On the road, cyclists share the same responsibilities as motorized vehicles, and are held to the same rules. So in a car-bicycle collision, it’s certainly possible for the cyclist to be at fault—but it’s almost certain which party will lose when a 4,000-lb vehicle knocks a 180-lb cyclist to the ground. That puts the onus on car and truck drivers to proceed with extra caution and awareness in the presence of cyclists.

When Cycling and Driving Collide—Literally

Be aware of the most likely and most dangerous places you could encounter a cyclist as a driver.

· Most collisions happen during the morning rush hour (8-9 a.m. on weekdays) and late afternoon when the sun is glaring (3-6 p.m.).

· Almost 45 percent of car-bicycle collisions occur at intersections, according to Active.com. In 2009, about one-third of all U.S. bicycle fatalities happened at intersections, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

· The two most common accidents involve, first, a car making a left-hand turn directly into the path of a cyclist traveling the opposite direction; and second, a car passing a bicycle in the same lane of traffic only to make an immediate right turn across the cyclist’s path.

How to Share the Road

Safety is a two-way street. Cyclists should wear visible clothing, adhere to traffic laws, and make sure their bikes are equipped with flashing indicators. Drivers should take extra precautions as well:

1. Learn and recognize bicycle hand signals. Do you know the different signage for a right turn versus a stop?

2. Allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. In Virginia, less than two feet could earn you a traffic ticket.

3. Slow down when passing. A cyclist is eight times more likely to be killed in a car-bicycle accident when struck at 30mph compared to 20mph.

4. Always, always, always check over your shoulder. Cyclists can slip into your blind spot more easily than a full-size sedan.

5. Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out of a parking space.

Remember that cyclists have exactly the same rights on the roadway as other vehicles, and a safe trip home depends on everyone. Drive safe, and bike happy!