Photo courtesy ICBC

Prince George, B.C. – With Bike to Work Week set to start on Monday, ICBC is reminding both motorists and cyclists to take extra care on B.C. roads.

The provincial crown corporation says as ridership increases over the summer, so does the number of cyclist-related crashes.

ICBC says 740 cyclists are injured and seven are killed in car crashes from June to September every year in B.C. That means six cyclists are injured every day in the summer months.

(In the north central region of B.C., on average, 28 cyclists are injured every year. Numbers based on a five-year average using 2011 to 2015 police fatality and ICBC injury data).

Considering those statistics, ICBC is reminding motorists to keep in mind the following tips:

• Don’t get distracted. Watch for cyclists on the road and make eye contact if you can, so they can anticipate your next move.
• Yield the right-of-way. Yield to cyclists and signal well in advance if you need to cross a designated bike lane or pull over to the side of the road.
• Look out. Shoulder check before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left.
• Both drivers and passengers must shoulder check for cyclists before opening their doors.
• Keep a safe distance. Maintain at least three seconds behind cyclists and at least one metre when passing a cyclist.

Tips for Cyclists:

• Wear an approved bicycle helmet that meets safety standards is the law in B.C. and you could face a fine for not wearing one.
• Be extra visible with reflective gear on your bicycle pedals and wheels.
• Use designated bike lanes whenever possible.
• Stay off the sidewalk. It puts pedestrians in danger and drivers don’t expect cyclists to enter the roadway from a sidewalk.
• Use caution around parked vehicles and shoulder check.