For the majority of commuting cyclists, motor vehicles are the real danger. However, there are many times where cyclists are put at odds with pedestrians as well. While a crash with a pedestrian isn’t quite as dramatic, unlike with an automobile, both the cyclist and the pedestrian can get injured pretty badly. This is why it is important to know how to ride around pedestrians safely.
In many states, it is illegal to ride your bicycle on sidewalks, but even where it is allowed, it is not advised. Even when riding through the door zone, you are not quite exposed to hazards as frequently as you are on the side walk.
However, there are times when riding around pedestrians is unavoidable. Typically, the key is to go slowly while still being able to ride efficiently, and if you need to go by a pedestrian, ride behind them, not in front. When shocked suddenly, it is our first instinct to jump forward. This means if you jet out in front of a pedestrian, they may accidentally end up in your path. By going behind them, they will safely put themselves out of your path. So even if you are moving at a decent speed, there is less of a chance that you will hit a pedestrian if you move behind them.
Even if you are the master student of bicycle safety, accidents happen. It is just the very nature of the world. So even if you ride around pedestrians frequently and think you know everything about staying safe, you will probably get into an accident one day. However, if you need legal representation for your accident, contact us. The Law Office of Gary Brustin is dedicated to representing cyclists.