With Fort Worth and Arlington both preparing to introduce new bicycle lanes, I thought it was appropriate to remind all road users of proper road sharing etiquette. I'm sure that most Texas cyclists are well aware that just because they have a dedicate lane on major roads, it doesn't mean that they are necessarily protected from negligent motorists. Just like motorcyclists and pedestrians, bicycle riders need to make sure that they always keep their wits about them and are cautious around other vehicles because whenever a cyclist is involved in any kind of traffic collision it usually means terrible injuries.
Drivers also need to respect the rights of cyclists on the road. Motorists in North Texas are not typically accustomed to sharing the road with bicycles, so it's important to remember a few basic points:
Leave plenty of room between your car and the bicycle; do not drive too close to a bike and do not tailgate
Pay attention; the leading cause of motorcycle wrecks is car drivers failing to watch out for riders - apply the same rules to cyclists
Do not enter or block dedicated bicycle lanes
That last point is more serious that it seems. Bike lanes are meant for bikes. Period. I posted this video several weeks ago to demonstrate just how serious it can be when a bicycle lane is blocked by a parked car, freight or another obstacle. Personal injury lawyers and other safety advocates know the risks involved when a cyclist is forced to do out of their dedicated lane and into regular traffic. In fact, in Vilnius, Lithuania, of all places the mayor, Arturas Zuokas, was so fed up with cars blocking bike lanes and pedestrian crossings that he took to the streets in an armored truck to crush the offending vehicles. (It was actually a staged video, but still - think about that if you ever get the temptation to block a bicycle lane in the future!)
If you've been injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth bicycle accident, call me now for a free consultation on your case: 817-294-1900.
