Preventing two-wheeled tragedies at the Jersey Shore this summer

Bicycling is popular way of getting around many Jersey Shore communities during the summer months, when more accidents are likely to happen, but there are precautions drivers and riders can take to avoid becoming a statistic.

11 bicyclists were killed in 2014 in New Jersey and 18 in 2015, according to James A. Sinclair, Research Manager at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, which also serves as the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center funded by the state Department of Transportation.

Traffic deaths in general have declined, but bicycling fatalities in the Garden State continue to average about 15 per year, Sinclair noted.

Distracted driving is becoming a more serious problem, and not expecting bicyclists is part of the issue, according to Sinclair.

"Along the shore in the summer, you're going to see a lot of bicyclists out there that maybe don't bike that often, so they're a little bit shaky on their feet, so as a driver it's important to pay attention, expect the bicyclist from somewhere you wouldn't expect them," said Sinclair.

That means checking sidewalks and looking both ways before turning.

"A lot of times you're turning right, you're looking left for a gap in traffic, and the driver doesn't see a bicyclist coming on the sidewalk from the other direction," Sinclair said.

Bicyclists do belong on the road. Sinclair pointed out it's the state law and they are allowed to be in the middle of the lane. "A lot of times that's the safest place," he said.

Drivers should leave enough room when passing and also should be respectful, cautioned Sinclair, "and not honk or do anything like that that can actually scare the bicyclist that can make them swerve or fall."

Bicyclists should always ride assuming that drivers don't see them, especially at intersections and at night, according to Sinclair. He also advised cyclists to always follow the rules, ride predictable and visible, especially at night, when state law requires riders to use a light.

Cyclists also should pay attention to parked vehicles, cautioned Sinclair.

"Along the shore you have people, whole families, kids are going to be opening doors. If you ride too close to the car, you might get hit when the door opens," Sinclair said.

In addition, bicycles should be properly maintained.

"A collision is caused without a vehicle, just because of a problem with the bicycle. A lot of collisions are just the bicyclist falling," said Sinclair.