This road safety publication is for those who carry out bike delivery activities. This document, prepared by Areli Carreón and Agustín Martínez de Bicitekas A.C., contains road safety recommendations for bicycle users who move around the city.
Being a shy rider can be just as risky as being an aggressive one. Instead, being a capable and courteous rider is what can make your experience the safest, most efficient and most enjoyable.
Get to know some recommendations to prevent accidents
A capable and courteous rider does not compete with motorists, but cooperates with them so that everyone flows nimbly. He is not shy or aggressive but confident. It is not slow, nor is it excessively fast, but it moves constantly with traffic. He is a cyclist who knows and exercises his rights, without violating those of others.
A safe and capable cyclist is visible and predictable: he rides away from the curb and parked cars and always uses his body to clearly indicate his intention to move.
The most common of bicycle accidents is being slammed (a door that opens suddenly in a parked car or from which a passenger gets out). We suggest pedaling with at least one meter of distance between parked cars, and always be vigilant.
The area of greatest risk for cyclists is the crossroads, where you must negotiate the passage with each driver. The most educated will briefly stop and give you the step in accordance with the applicable regulations, but you should never assume that this will be the case. We recommend that you keep an eye on directional signals, speed, engine noise, tire spin, the position of your hands on the wheel and the driver’s eyes to anticipate their movement. Pay special attention to large vehicle turns and double trailers, and review the best techniques for requesting-pass roundabouts and bridges.
It is advisable not to zigzag or make sudden maneuvers. Keeping your path straight and predictable helps the drivers of the vehicles around you adjust their movements.
Try to pay attention to entrances and exits of vehicles. A good advice is to always look into the eyes of drivers and pedestrians so that everyone’s movement is safe and comfortable.
Driving in the opposite direction on the streets can be very dangerous: nobody waits for you in the opposite direction, so you can collide with vehicles or pedestrians.
Riding a bike on sidewalks, platforms or sidewalks may be expressly prohibited by local regulations and produces great anger and fear among pedestrians. This conduct can be used by some motorists to justify attacks on delivery drivers. We suggest avoiding it.
We recommend that you drive with enough distance from motor vehicles, and that you pay special attention to large vehicles, which due to their volume have too many blind spots and, if they do not see you, they can run you over. Beware of trailers, garbage trucks, cement mixers, or buses.
We suggest that you do not circulate between vehicles at a higher speed. We recommend choosing your lane according to your speed: to go slower than the rest of the vehicles use the right lane. It is also important to know the proper way to pass or overtake in your city.
Never trust yourself. The traffic rule may not be known or respected by everyone. We suggest avoiding contact with vehicles and people at all costs. Make yourself seen and heard with lights, reflective attachments, whistles or bell and always be aware of your surroundings to adjust your trajectory or speed in time, with smooth movements.
Consult chapter 5 of the Urban Cyclist Manual to know the great diversity of situations that you can face at crossings, bridges, tunnels, traffic lights, turns and mergers. Practice and knowledge of your most frequent area of travel will allow you to circulate safely and calmly.
Did you have an accident in your job as a delivery person?
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*Information obtained from: www.uber.com
