Bicycling continues to grow in popularity across Kentucky, but with more bikes on the road, the risk of crashes involving cars also rises. Many of these accidents happen because drivers fail to follow basic rules of the road. When a driver makes a careless move, a cyclist can suffer serious harm in just a split second.
Failing to yield at intersections
One of the most common causes of bike crashes happens at intersections. Drivers often fail to yield when turning, especially if a cyclist is riding straight through the intersection. A car turning left or right may not even look for a cyclist, or they may misjudge how fast the rider is going. This kind of mistake can lead to a side-impact crash that throws the cyclist into traffic or onto the pavement.
Kentucky law gives cyclists the same rights as drivers, so a motorist must yield to a bike the same way they would yield to another car. However, drivers may rush through a turn, hoping to beat traffic, and they cut off a cyclist without enough space. Even a low-speed impact can lead to broken bones, concussions, or worse.
Unsafe passing and “dooring”
Unsafe passing may occur when drivers try to squeeze past a cyclist in the same lane, leaving only inches of space. Kentucky requires at least three feet of clearance when passing a bike, but many drivers either don’t know the rule or ignore it. Passing too closely can cause a rider to lose balance, panic, or swerve into a curb or another vehicle.
“Dooring” is also a major hazard, especially in urban areas with street parking. This happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist’s path without checking first. The cyclist has no time to stop or move, and a crash often follows. These accidents happen fast and cause major injuries to the head, face, and hands.
When drivers ignore safety, the results can change a rider’s life in an instant. Recognizing these common violations can help cyclists avoid them or hold negligent drivers responsible for injuries after an accident.