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Whether driving through neighborhoods, downtown streets, or rural highways, understand how to safely share the road with bicyclists. Warm weather has arrived across Missouri, that means bicycles share the roads with all sorts of vehicles. Help prevent accidents — and protect everyone involved.
For car drivers, bicycle safety isn’t just about courtesy. Sharing the road with bicycles safely can also affect your car insurance claims, liability, and driving record. Best to avoid an accident rather than learn afterward.
Bicycles are vehicles too: Share the Road Safely with Bicycles
You know they’re out there so share the road safely with bicycles. Please note, Missouri considers bicycles as vehicles. This means cyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. That’s right, sharing the road safely with bicycles begins with understanding that bicycles have the same rights as other vehicles. As a driver, expect to encounter bicycles in traffic lanes, at intersections, and along road shoulders. Remembering this, realize a cyclist may not follow the rules, but they’re cycling essentially unprotected. Often, however, it’s still in the car driver’s best interest to yield.
Because we share the road with bicycles, consider, safety first. Some important reminders for Missouri drivers:
- Leave plenty of space when passing a bicycle. They swerve unexpectedly.
- Watch carefully before turning or opening doors. They sneak up quietly and quickly.
- Yield when required at intersections and crosswalks. They are more fragile than you.
- Stay alert for children riding near neighborhoods and parks. They shoot out suddenly.
- Slow down and be patient in narrow lanes. They are a vehicle too.
Even a low-speed collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist can result in serious injuries. Saving a minute or two getting around them isn’t worth the heartache, hassle, or harm of an accident (not to mention the cost).
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The Most Common Bicycle Accidents
Many bicycle-related accidents happen because drivers simply do not see bicyclists in time to avoid them. Add to this the frequent practice of wearing ear buds and it’s a recipe for tragedy. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Turning in front of a bicycle
- Passing too closely
- Opening a parked car door into traffic
- Failing to yield at intersections
Extra caution is important during early mornings and evenings, in high traffic times. Even unexpected times are risky. Stormy weather could catch a bicyclist still needing to get home and then visibility is reduced.
Ways to Avoid Bicycle Accidents
The best way to share the road with bicycles in Missouri, or anywhere, is to be alert. A few small habits can make a major difference in avoiding accidents with bicyclists:
- Check mirrors and blind spots frequently.
- Give cyclists extra room when passing.
- Avoid distracted driving.
- Use turn signals early.
- Reduce speed in areas with heavy bicycle traffic.
Defensive driving helps protect both cyclists and drivers from costly accidents and insurance claims.
How Bicycle Accidents Affect Car Insurance
Auto insurance may apply if a driver hits a bicyclist. Depending on the situation and the coverage you’ve chosen on your policy, coverage that could come into play may include:
- Liability: for injuries or property damage you cause
- Medical payments: for injuries
- Collision: for your vehicle’s damage
Hopefully, you’re never involved in an accident with a bicyclist. If you are, address it immediately. Report the claim and document the scene carefully with photos and witness information.
A great reminder from NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]: “Remember, no one — no driver, cyclist, or pedestrian — has sole rights to the road. It’s a shared space where we all have rights and responsibilities.”
Reviewing Your Auto Insurance Matters
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Accidents involving bicycles can lead to expensive medical claims and legal liability. Review your auto insurance coverage now to help make sure you’re properly protected, before an accident happens.
At Solo Insurance®, we help Missouri drivers compare coverage options from multiple companies — without additional fees. The quote is without obligation.
Contact us today for a free auto insurance review and quote, www.soloinsurance.net or call 800-207-7656.
Final Thoughts
So be responsible. Sharing the road with bicycles in Missouri helps keep drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians safer every day. By slowing down, staying alert, and giving cyclists enough space, Missouri drivers help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of costly insurance claims. Safe driving habits and proper auto insurance coverage both play a role when sharing the road with bicycles in Missouri. You can review your car insurance coverage, or get new, with a trusted, experienced and licensed producer at Solo Insurance®. Helping people save money over 30 years on West Florissant in St Louis, and now with e-signature to save even more, without additional fees.
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