Intersections pose a special risk to cyclists: Drivers often underestimate the speed of a bike; drivers often don’t expect bikes to be on the road so car drivers aren’t watching for bikes; and even if cars are on the lookout for bikes, they sometimes just don’t see them.
1
Increase the visibility of the bike and cyclist (with front and rear lamps, reflective clothing, and brightly colored clothing)
Sounds obvious, right? You would be surprised at how often this preliminary and basic step is either ignored or forgotten. Visibility is key. High-vis vests, jackets and even jerseys really DO help; and in early morning or early evening, be sure to add flashing red taillight and bright headlight.
2
Being on the lookout -- a legal requirement for bikes and cars alike
Again, stay focused. This is pretty easy to forget when riding in a group and talking, as cyclists (like anybody else!) often tend to look at the person they are chatting with, rather than watching for potential problems.
3
Riding defensively
As with the previous step, this is critical. Two of the main threats to cyclists on the road are (1) motorists approaching who might turn left in front of the cyclists; and (2) motorists on the right who might pull out in front of the cyclist and "never see them."
4
Learning to execute emergency maneuvers to avoid collisions
This can be a little tricky and it is best practiced alone. Practice emergency braking and steering in a safe area of a quiet street or large parking lot. Imagine a car suddenly: pulling in front of you (either from the opposite/approaching lane or a street on your right). Remember that most of your braking power will come from your front brake, but if you only apply your front brake you risk being thrown over the handle bars, so also apply the rear brake. Swerving and similar evasive techniques can also be practiced using the same imaginary vehicles or obstacles. Once skill is developed in these road biking basics, you will also need to practice avoiding obstacles on the pavement such as broken glass and other debris, and practicing maneuvers when riding in groups and pacelines. Good luck.
