Drivers: look out for bikes and motorbikes

August is National Road Victim Month. Catherine Hyde of Coodes Solicitors’ Personal Injury team reminds drivers to look out for bikes and motorbikes.

The AA has just launched the AA Cyclist’s Highway Code, to help cyclists of all ages stay safe on our roads. Giving cyclists guidance on using the roads safely is a good idea. However, it is equally important for drivers to be aware of how to drive around bikes or motorbikes. Motorcyclists are just one per cent of road traffic, but sadly account for 19% of deaths on the roads. While the number of cyclists killed or injured on our roads is falling, they were involved in more than 3,000 fatal accidents in 2015.

With Summer being a particularly busy time for both cyclists and motorbikes, now is a good time to remind drivers to be aware or bikes.

Look out for bikes at junctions and check blind spots

As well as being so much more exposed than drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists can also be difficult to see. Many accidents involving bikes happen because a driver did not notice them in time. This is especially true if they are behind you, coming out of junctions, at roundabouts, overtaking or filtering through traffic. You should always look out for bikes and motorbikes before you emerge from a junction as they could be approaching more quickly than you think.

If you are turning right across a line of slow moving or stationery traffic, you should look out for bikes on the inside of the traffic you are about to cross.

Drivers should be especially careful when turning, and when changing lane. Check mirrors and blind spots carefully and then use your indicators in plenty of time before making these manoeuvres.

Give bikes room

When you are overtaking bikes you should give them plenty of room – in fact, as much as you would give a car. Driving too closely can intimidate cyclists or motorcyclists and is also dangerous. Motorcyclists and cyclists can be buffeted by the wind. They may also suddenly need to swerve to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road.

Being considerate to motorcyclists and cyclists is part of safe driving. Cyclists and motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. Make sure you are looking out for them every time you are on the road.

If you are involved in a cycling or motorcycle accident contact Catherine Hyde, a personal injury lawyer in the Personal Injury team at Coodes Solicitors on 01326 318900 or catherine.hyde@coodes.co.uk