4 Ways to Keep Your Roads Cyclist Friendly

You may have seen from your time on the road that transportation via bicycle is becoming more and more common. Dealerships like Drive Now that sell used cars in Phoenix, AZ are teaming up to educate our customers and all other drivers the best practices for sharing the road with bicyclists. Check out these tips the used cars Phoenix AZ experts at Drive Now have to share:

Leave enough space
Some state laws require drivers to leave at least three feet of space between their car and any cyclists ahead. Leave enough room between your car and bicycle riders ahead of you.

Turn cautiously and don’t forget to yield
Cyclists ride on the right side of the road, so you may hit an unsuspecting rider with a quick turn. Check your mirrors and be aware of blind spots before turning. While at a stop sign or red light, make a complete stop in order to let bikers pass, and check for unseen riders.

Give bikers the right of way. Allowing them to go first is always a safer option so they can have an open, safe path to travel along. Make eye contact with cyclists at intersections to acknowledge their presence and signal to let them know they are free to pass.

Pass slowly
Allow ample room for your car to safely pass and travel ahead of cyclists. Furthermore, take caution to pass at slower speeds. In the case that you do accidentally hit or swipe a cyclist, the speed of impact can dramatically affect the amount of injury caused.

Keep out of all bike lanes
When driving, pulling over, or parking (even if it’s “just for a minute”), make sure to steer clear of the bike lanes. These lanes are designated sections of the road for those on bicycles to ride safely and freely on. Maneuvering out of the bike lane and into the lane of traffic in order to avoid your car can be a tricky and dangerous move for riders.

Be careful opening your door in heavy bicycle traffic areas
Some cyclist slang for you: being “doored” is when the occupant of a parked car swiftly opens their car door on an unsuspecting cyclist who is hit by it or runs into it. Check if the surrounding area is clear before opening your door.

Together, the used cars Phoenix AZ dealers and Phoenix drivers can help do our part to stay aware of bikers and to keep our roads safe for everyone. Contact us today.