Motor vehicle/bicycle crashes reported to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
This information should indicate one very important thing to bicyclists: the extreme likelihood of being injured if you collide with a motor vehicle. Nationally, more than 90 percent of bicyclists' fatalities are the result of collisions with motor vehicles. Protect yourself with the appropriate equipment, including a properly equipped bicycle and an approved helmet.

Drive defensively. Know the laws and rules of the road, and diligently practice these procedures. But, anticipate others to act incorrectly. National studies have indicated that more than 25 percent of all bicycle/motor vehicle collisions are the sole fault of the motor vehicle operator. Almost half are at least partly the fault of the motor vehicle operator.

Collisions can often be prevented by not only the offending driver but also the careful bicyclist. Again, anticipate the actions of others and take preventive measures to avoid an accident, while there is still time.

Don't be dead right.

MOST COMMON BICYCLE CRASH TYPE!

• Bicyclist and no motor vehicle.

• Motorist and bicyclist crossing paths*; motorist fails to yield.

• Motorist and bicyclist crossing paths* at intersection; bicyclist fails to yield.

• Motorist and bicyclist on parallel paths*; motorist turns or merges into path* of bicycle.

• Motorist and bicyclist crossing paths*; bicyclist fails to yield, midblock. These occur typically at driveways or alleys.

• Motorist and bicyclist on parallel paths*; motorist overtakes the bicyclist.

• Motorist and bicyclist on parallel paths*; bicyclist turns or merges into path* of motorist.

* The usage of path does not indicate separate bicycle facilities; it simply indicates the orientation of travel between vehicles. This list was made using a national study. FHWA-RD-95-163

CRASHES MORE COMMON TO CHILDREN

A child bicyclist's most likely accident will involve no motor vehicle. This type of accident can usually be prevented with proper riding skills and attentive riding habits. Parents should restrict where their children ride until these skills and habits can be fully developed.

It is estimated that more than 45 percent of all bicycle/motor vehicle collisions involve bicyclists younger than 15.

The most common collision involves motorists and bicyclists crossing paths at driveways, alleys and intersections. Children also commonly fail to yield to traffic traveling parallel, or they merge or turn into the path of a motor vehicle. Children also are often in collisions while traveling in the wrong direction. For further information, see CHILDREN AND BICYCLES.
 

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Oklahoma Bicycle Society: Oklahoma Bicycle Manual
created by John Wente
last modified: October 07, 2006
URL: http://www.OklahomaBicycleSociety.com