Other people make mistakes; learn how to avoid them

These simple and important lessons in Bicycle Safety will sharply lower your chances of a conflict or crash. BicycleSafe.com tells us how.

This is a far cry from normal bicycle safety guides, which usually tell you little more than to wear your helmet and to follow the law.  But consider this for a moment: Wearing a helmet will do absolutely nothing to prevent you from getting hit by a car. Sure, helmets might help you if you get hit, but your #1 goal should be to avoid getting hit in the first place. Plenty of cyclists are killed by cars even though they were wearing helmets. Ironically, if they had ridden without helmets, yet followed the advice on this page, they might still be alive today. Don't fall for the myth that wearing a helmet is the first and last word in biking safety. In truth, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's better to not get hit. That's what real bicycle safety is about.  [Continued .....]

Poster's note:  The dangers faced by bicyclists riding on the road can indeed be greatly minimized, not only with the tips above, but also using simple paranoia. Tell yourself that most drivers are distracted by a phone or other electronic device, and let it dictate your every assumption. Always use a bicyclist's rear-view mirror to monitor traffic from behind as you approach intersections. If riding recreationally, the day of the week and/or time of day can factor; smart cyclists tend to avoid the times when folks are most likely intoxicated, cruising, or driving around for pleasure more than purpose. Ride your bike, or use your feet - no one should tolerate a built environment that discourages us from biking and walking.

Sidewalk riding, approved by at least 1 advocacy organization in Delaware, is not without danger. In fact, some studies suggest that sidewalks and pathways in general see a greater number of bicycle crashes due to intersection frequency and overcrowding among multiple user types.