When I started commuting on the bike, I wasn't familiar with a lot of the terminology, including some of the language used in bike safety posts. Since so many people bring up safety as the main issue when considering whether or not to bike to work, I thought I'd explain one topic at a time, in clear, non-bike-specific terms.

Today's topic (since I encountered the danger yet again on the way into work this morning), is the "Right Hook".

Here in Seattle, bike accidents are not categorized by type (left turn, right hook, etc). However, the Seattle Times (in an article referenced in an earlier post), said that Portland, OR, which keeps some of the best data on accident types, reports that 10 percent of their cycling-related accidents are right hook incidents.

A quick search on the web can bring up diagrams of what this risk looks like, but I thought a picture would be clearer. This morning, I pulled over to a safe place and took a picture of one of the most notorious right-hook danger spots in Seattle.



Notice how safe the bike lane looks. Then notice the car slowing down, preparing to make a legal a right turn. Because the light is green, a biker would breeze through this unless she noticed the car. Likewise, the car might not notice the biker until the last second.

Either way, this is obviously a risk that does exist, even when both parties are acting "legally". Proposed solutions are a cause of much debate. Some say bike lanes make this risk worse, which can be seen from the photograph; the argument being that bikers have a false sense of security in the lane. Others say it is actually more dangerous when cyclists enter traffic to avoid the risk.

The truth is, the only way to mitigate the risk is to use common sense. The driver needs to know you're there and going straight. The most obvious way is to stay clear of the curb and signal your intention by pointing forward with your left hand, well before the intersection. In addition, if possible, then place yourself in an obvious position between cars where you can be easily seen (as opposed to the tail end of a bus, or the blind spot of a van).

The point is, the safest situation is one in which the cyclist and the driver know 1. where the other is, and 2. where the other is headed. It takes a little practice, which I suggest doing in a lower traffic area, but once you get the hang of it, it eliminates an enormous amount of risk for a minimal amount of effort.

There are plenty of creative initiatives being floated in cities like NYC, Portland and even Seattle about how to mitigate it further, (colored lanes, dotted lines, etc.) - but rather than wait for City officials to solve the problem, just practice making yourself visible and communicative on the road. It's well worth the effort.

A safe ride is a fun ride. Get out there and practice.