Commuters around most parts of the country have turned to bicycles to get around during the COVID-19 pandemic. In cities better known for car-clogged streets, bike lanes have been introduced to accommodate the surging interest in cycling. In Metro Manila, police authorities went further and apprehended motorists who were using bike lanes.
Love them or hate them, cyclists are on the rise and are here to stay.
And as a motorist, part of our responsibility is to create a safe environment for all the users of the roadways to limit unnecessary car-bicycle accidents.
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) head Ramon Ang, during the launching of a bicycle program for SMC employees, has called for car owners in the Philippines to respect cyclists on the road.
“For motorists, let us all observe the proper distance from cyclists. Do not treat them as obstacles on the road. We share the road with them, they are people like you, just trying to get to their destination,” Ang said.
“Give way to them, because anyway you are inside a vehicle. Their safety comes first,” he added.
Here are 7 things to put into mind about bicycles, cyclists and road safety:
1. Cyclists are equals.
Motorists are likely to think of cyclists as ''in their way". Legally, they are just as entitled to the roadway as car drivers are. Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations.
2. Cyclists have a legal right to the road.
The Philippines was among the nations that signed the "Vienna Convention on Road Traffic" in 1968. Its provisions were made part of the laws of the land by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 207 in 1973, and it came into force in 1977. Under Article 3 of the Vienna road traffic treaty, contracting parties are required to accommodate bicycles on the road.
3. Cyclists are vulnerable.
An average car weighs a thousand kilos or so, while the average bike is a mere 10 kilos. In any collision, any physical interaction between car and bike, the bike always loses. There is never a collision where the bike rider came out less injured.
4. Cyclists are human beings.
Think about the human being on the bike – that cyclist can be a family member, a friend or a neighbor. Seeing bicyclists that way can make a motorist a little more patient. Motorists who don't humanize cyclists this way often perceive riders as mere obstacles that block their way.
5. Cyclists don't pollute the road.
One cyclist is one less car on the road. They lessen traffic congestion and they don't contribute to air and noise pollution.
6. Cyclists need 3 feet of clearance.
Whether passing or overtaking, motorists need to give the cyclists at least 3 to 5 feet breathing space. Cyclists really appreciate it when drivers pass them slowly and smoothly. It gets really scary when you are on a bike and a car so near you suddenly accelerates. You can also spare cyclists' nerves by not honking too much.
7. Cyclists are everywhere, so look around.
After a traffic incident, motorists usually explain, "I didn't even saw him when I hit him!" Drivers shouldn't just expect other cars on the road, they have to start looking out for everybody – including cyclists and pedestrians.
So, there you go. To help you put things into perspective, know that the road isn’t exclusively for cars. Use extra caution when passing, overtaking or turning. Bear in mind that when you're in a car, you are somewhat protected from your surroundings, but on a bike the slightest bump or miscalculation could put the cyclist into a potentially dangerous situation.
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