How Drivers Can Coexist with Bicyclists
By Kimberly Graf. Published on July 18, 2025
Regardless of how each person might feel about them, bicyclists have the same rights and rules as motorists. There is sometimes a conflict between these two groups as they struggle to share the road, but it doesn't have to be that way. With a little perspective and consideration, we can make the road a better place for both cyclists and motorists to enjoy.
There are certain things that cyclists can do in order to reduce their chance of being in a collision, including communicating with drivers via hand signals, wearing bright clothing, and having reflectors. They should, of course, use bike lanes where they exist and obey all rules of the road.
A cyclist on the roadway with cars should act like a car - it should stop at all stop lights and signs, yield when asked, and follow the same speed limit laws as drivers. This means if a bike can't keep up with the speed limit, the cyclist could be fined the same as if they were driving a car too slowly.
But there are a lot of things that drivers can do as well to keep accidents from happening, and a lot of it deals with being alert and aware of the cyclists or potential cyclists around you.
Pedestrians on foot are always priority number one, no matter if you have two wheels or four. They always have the right of way, and both cyclists are drivers are required to yield. It's important to know what rules and responsibilities cyclists have so that you can anticipate how they're going to act on the road. This helps you better figure out what you need to do in response.
For example, say that a bicyclist is riding along the side of the road in a bike lane. This might be on the way up a hill and they aren't going as quickly as you. As long as the bike is in a bike lane, you can pass them safely - but with a three-foot safety area on either side. So just make sure that you're giving the cyclist adequate room.
Always make sure that you're watching the bike lanes when you go to make a turn. Making a right turn onto another road without checking your mirrors could end in disaster. Make sure you always signal when you're going to turn (even if there isn't a bike lane). If the cyclist doesn't' stop for you, wait for him. You might not be able to accurately estimate the speed the bicycle is going, so if you're in doubt that you can make it in time, remember to yield.
You may think that it's ridiculous for you to have to wait for a cyclist when he should stop. This is a common attitude among drivers that must be changed. With more people cycling than ever before, motorists have to keep in mind that they're here to stay - and they're a lot more vulnerable than drivers.
Drivers spend most of their time encased in the protective barrier of metal and glass that the car provides. Bicyclists don't have that luxury - they are propelling a thin metal frame with no protection to speak of. It's important for drivers to remember this. If someone in an SUV gets impatient and cuts off someone on a bike, the person on the bike is going to suffer much greater injuries.
It's also key that you check for cyclists before opening the door to your car. Say you pull over to park on the side of the road in order to conduct some business in a store, and a bicyclist is avoiding the sidewalk in order to make it more convenient for pedestrians. They have every right to do this. You have to make sure that when opening your door, you don't hit the cyclist. Do three checks if you have to before you open it.
Cyclists can't anticipate this move. They can see drivers in their cars, but they can't tell what they're going to do. If you were to fling your door open carelessly, the driver could be knocked off of their bike and into traffic, and might suffer terrible injury or even death.
It might be a little difficult to break yourself out of the mindset that bicyclists are intruders on the road meant for drivers, but we have to. More people are choosing this healthy, inexpensive way to get around, and we must respect that. As a tool, think about it this way: if there is a cyclist in your way, at least it isn't a car.
This means fewer emissions, and it's very likely you're only going to be there for a short amount of time. Also, cyclists are, in general, just as aware of their vulnerability as drivers should be. They aren't going to put themselves in situations where they could get hurt, for the most part.
By respecting each other and sharing the road, we can make sure that drivers have a happier, healthier relationship with cyclists so both can enjoy the road.
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