Safety: Avoid the Right Hook, Part 2
You’re passing a slow-moving car (or even another bike) on the right, when it unexpectedly makes a right turn right into you, trying to get to a parking lot, driveway, or side street. This is called a right hook.
How to prevent this kind of collision:
1. Don’t pass on the right. This collision is easy enough to avoid. Just don’t pass any vehicle on the right. If a car ahead of you is going only 10 MPH, then you slow down too, behind it. It will eventually start moving faster; or if it doesn’t, pass on the left when it’s safe to do so. ✎
If several cars are stopped at a red light, then you can try passing on the right cautiously. If you pass on the right and the traffic starts moving again unexpectedly, you can’t count on drivers to signal; sometimes, they don’t. Assume that a car may turn right at any time. Try to stay ahead of the car behind you until you’re through the intersection, because otherwise the motorist might try to turn right in front of you. For a more detailed explanation, with illustrations, go to Red Light Safety Tips.
Also, keep in mind that cyclists not only get “doored” by drivers when riding on the left of vehicles, but someone can fling open the passenger door unexpectedly as they exit the car on the right, so be sure to leave enough room even when riding on the right of vehicles.
When passing cyclists on the left, announce, “On your left,” before you start passing, so they don’t suddenly move left into you. (Of course, cyclists are much less likely to suddenly move left without looking, where they could be hit by traffic, than to suddenly move right.)
Remember, when you encounter a slow-moving vehicle, ride behind it, not in its blind spot, which is immediately to the right of it. Even if you’re not passing a car on the right, you could still run into it if it turns right while you’re right next to it in its blind spot. And give yourself enough room to brake if the car turns.
2. Look behind you before turning right. Here’s your opportunity to avoid hitting cyclists who violate tip #1 above and try to pass you on the right. Look behind you before making a right-hand turn to make sure a bike isn’t trying to pass you. Even if it’s the other cyclist’s fault for trying to pass you on the right when you make a right turn and they slam into you, it won’t hurt any less when they hit you.
To read Part 1, go to Safety: Avoid the Right Hook
The Safety Committee, excerpted from BicycleSafe.com