Stay Safe Stay Back Cycling Tips

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Tips for Cyclists:

• It’s important to recognize that large vehicles like transport trucks and garbage trucks have large blind spots that aren’t covered by their mirrors. Even if the trucks are equipped with additional mirrors, spotting a cyclist in the “No-Go Zone” is difficult.

• To keep yourself visible and safe, stop behind large trucks at intersections, ensuring that you can see the truck’s mirrors – this ensures that the driver can see you and is able to keep you out of harm’s way.

• Be aware that large vehicles make wide right turns. If you’re in a bike lane on the right hand side of the road, be aware of large vehicles turning at intersections. If you pull up beside a truck at an intersection, there’s no way to know if that driver has seen you, and no way for them to know that you’re there. Remember, trucks have large blind spots, and if you go into the No-Go Zone, the driver may not even know that you are there.

• Keep in mind that when a truck makes a right hand turn, they have to first swing wide to the left in order to complete the turn. Anytime you see a vehicle with their signal light on to turn right, keep your distance to keep yourself safe!

• Never ride up the right side of a truck or bus stopped at an intersection, even if you’re in a bike lane. Doing so places you in the vehicles blind spot and puts you at risk.

• Trucks are much less maneuverable than a normal vehicle due to their significant size and weight.  They’re unable to stop or maneuver quickly, so be sure to ride predictably, visibly and safely. This means always riding in a straight line and avoiding weaving in and out of lanes, especially around parked cars.

See here for our tips for Drivers or return to the Stay Safe Stay Back home page.