cyclists cause less than 10% of accidents involving cyclists

That’s pretty scary. And the article sounds pretty accurate.

While there is a public perception that cyclists are usually the cause of accidents between cars and bikes, an analysis of Toronto police collision reports shows otherwise: The most common type of crash in this study involved a motorist entering an intersection and either failing to stop properly or proceeding before it was safe to do so. The second most common crash type involved a motorist overtaking unsafely. The third involved a motorist opening a door onto an oncoming cyclist. The study concluded that cyclists are the cause of less than 10 per cent of bike-car accidents in this study.

The available evidence suggests that collisions have far more to do with aggressive driving than aggressive cycling.

Also, the U of T has an article with an interview with Dr. Chris Cavacuiti, who is looking into cycling safety.

3 thoughts on “cyclists cause less than 10% of accidents involving cyclists”

  1. It’s nice to see someone doing research about bicycle safety and collecting data about bicycle accidents. John Forester has done some good work, but the most recent edition of Effective Cycling is almost 20 years old now.

  2. Something us bike commuters always knew. I personally had a accident 6 years ago classic “right hook” driver underestimated how fast I was going and tried to do the speed up and turn without looking/signaling… painful experience to say the least. Sued the shit out of him (well his insurance) .

    When I was in Portland I noticed these stencils all over don’t condone but the cyclist in me likes http://bikeportland.org/photos/tags/bikeportland/photo/1185945384/fight-back-stencil-on-steel-bridge.html

  3. “The third involved a motorist opening a door onto an oncoming cyclist. ”
    I really thought this happens only in comedies.
    But what is really sad – so many people get hurt or even die because of another people’s heedlessness. I don’t ride my bike often, but I drive a lot and always envy al little those bikers – they’re much healthier than me.
    If all people start become more respectful to each other our life would be better and safer. And some drivers really don’t like bikers as I’ve heard some words from cab drivers and some of my neighbors. I don’t know why.
    “You own a car, not a road” – was written on some girl’s T-shirt. True words.
    Peace.

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