Blind spots and cyclists: how understanding them can save your life

Dear cycling enthusiasts, welcome to our space dedicated to cycling, where our passion for bikes guides every pedal stroke and discussion. Today we will reveal a crucial secret that could make the difference between a carefree ride and an unexpected encounter with the giants of the road.
Although we cyclists are often extremely attentive at junctions, it is also essential to be aware of the risks associated with vehicles travelling alongside or ahead of us, which are often mistakenly underestimated because we are sure their drivers can see us.
Specifically, in this article we will discuss blind spots, veritable ghost zones where cyclists risk disappearing from a driver's radar.

To understand the importance of knowing vehicles' blind spots, consider that, according to data collected in the ASAPS Pedestrian Observatory report, from the beginning of 2023 to 21 April, as many as 20% of accidents involving a cyclist's death were caused by being hit by a lorry.
Awareness of these limitations therefore becomes a crucial factor in road safety.

Why should you understand the blind spots of large vehicles?

The vast majority of vehicles on our roads have at least one blind spot. However, blind spots are particularly relevant to lorries and large vehicles, as these have many more blind spots than other conventional vehicles such as cars or motorcycles.
The general rule is that the larger the vehicle, the larger and more numerous its blind spots.

How can you avoid the risks of blind spots?

The first way to prevent a collision with other vehicles is, naturally, to always give way to the vehicle alongside you, especially at traffic lights or a junction, waiting for it to complete its manoeuvre before continuing.

Another potentially life-saving tip is to remember that if we can see the driver's face in their mirrors, it means they can see us too. Otherwise, it means we are in one of their blind spots and must pay the utmost attention and try to move out of it carefully as soon as possible.