On average 130 cyclists in Manitoba are injured annually in collisions with a motor vehicle.
MPI says half of those injuries happen over a three month period from June to August.
Based on a 10-year average from 2009 to 2018, two cyclists are killed and 129 are injured every year in urban locations, while there are one death and 3 injuries in rural locations.
One of the key points to avoid these injuries is to give cyclists room to breathe.
MPI encourages motorists to give cyclist at least one metre of space when driving alongside or passing them. In a press release, MPI gives a list of safety tips for drivers and cyclists.
For drivers:
- Take extra caution at intersections and watch for cyclists when making right or left turns.
- After parking your vehicle, look for cyclists before opening your door. Opening a car door into the path of a cyclist can lead to serious injuries.
For cyclists:
- Always follow the rules of the road, including stopping at traffic lights and stop signs.
- Never pass stopped vehicles in the same lane or when stopped at an intersection as the driver may not see you and turn into your path.
- Always ride on the roadway, unless your bicycle is small enough to legally ride on the sidewalk. Many cycling collisions occur when bicycles are coming off sidewalks at intersections or when crossing driveways.
- Ride defensively, consider wearing reflective clothing and use hand signals to alert motorists to your intentions.
