Vulnerable on the Open Road: Five pro cyclists reflect on bike safety

While safe roads matter to everyone on a bike, professional cyclists spend more time on them than almost anyone. It's how they make a living. These talented, world-class athletes may seem super-human at times, but they are humans like any of us—vulnerable on the open road.

In this video, five professional U.S. cyclists reflect on their experiences with bicycle safety. Some riders, like Lucas Euser and Craig Lewis, have seen their careers nearly end after severe crashes with people driving cars. Others, like current National Road Race Champion Timmy Duggan, haven't faced such extreme incidents, but still have a vision for better bicycling conditions and motorist-bicyclist interactions. All riders share their lessons and ideas for how our communities can become more bike-friendly and safer for all road users.

Even though these riders are the top 1% of bicyclists, their advice—slow down, be aware, don't blow through red lights, build more infrastructure, get more people riding—applies to anyone who likes to enjoy the simple pleasure of a bike ride.

Athletes, in order of appearance:

Lucas Euser, Team Spider Tech
Craig Lewis, Team Champion System
Kristen Peterson, Professional Triathlete
Timmy Duggan, Liquigas-Cannondale, Current U.S. Road Race Champion
Mike Friedman, Optum Kelly Benefit

Thanks to Skratch Labs for supporting this video.

Photographer - Jamie Kripke (www.jamiekripke.com)
Editor - Buck Ross (www.buckross.com)
Music: "Window" The Album Leaf

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[Lloyd Lemons]

Thanks for the video! I teach safety on bikes. I "drive" my bike, like I would drive my car. I follow the rules of the road. Everyone has to work together for safety. Thanks again. @cyclingnirvana Lloyd Lemons

[allgoo19]

4:28

"One of the biggest misconception is people think that cyclists don't drive."

So true!! Many of them even think that cyclists ride bicycles because we can't afford to buy a car. They think they are superior to the people on the bicycles.

[shechshire]

Depends were you ride. If you're driving on the busy suburban sprawl areas of places like Miami or Los Angeles it is VERY dangerous. I mostly take sidewalks of those areas because it is just too dangerous especially with people that don't respect road rules.

[NowhereBeats]

I have been cycling for about 12 years and only had one accident on a narrow country lane (with no pavement) the car came off bad I was fine.

I have been driving for only 3 years (less than 50 miles) and have never even broken the speed limit.

But I mostly walk everywhere and have been hit by cars 3 times on two occasions crossing over an exit of a round-a-bout by drivers who were not indicating. The other was someone who stalled on a hill and rolled back into me.

[Cliffjumper24]

google "what have cyclists ever done for us?" for a laugh about the reality of what drivers now take for granted.

Cyclists literally paved the roads for motorists!

[Cliffjumper24]

That's terrible. I feel for ya!

What's really worrying, is that we'll see more of this happening as time goes on.

Why? Cell phones!

Using a cellphone, even 'hands free', is equivalent to DUI... so everyone you see driving and yakking on the phone, is an equivalent of a drunk driver.

Worse are the texters... they might as well wear a blindfold, and lift it ever few seconds to check the road!

[Cliffjumper24]

For every cyclists that jumps a red light, or rides on the pavement, it's justification for some troll on the internet to excuse bad driving.

Being safe on the road is as simple as making your intentions clear (indicating), and using the correct road positioning at the correct time.

I've been riding on the road for over 25 years.... I've never had a collision with a car.

Oh I've had a lot of close shaves, and come off because of my own mistakes (ice, destritis), but never a collision.

[Cliffjumper24]

Try putting lights on your helmet too.

I have 3 of them... one at the back, two on the front.

If a vehicle comes at you fron the side, they may not notice you, but all you have to do is look in their direction, and you're pointing a light their way.

The biggest danger for a cyclist is 'not being seen'.... I found that helmet lights made a huge difference, and I have less worrying incidents as a result.

[1Flash2b]

Sorry the road is a free place to travel on. People commute by bike because its healthier and better than sitting in a car (the lazy way). There is enough room on the road for cars and cyclists to work together, just have to fix the bad ones on both ends. All in time, problem is the educational system in some countries.. its just like sex ed changed our youths and young adults way of thinking. It took time to implement. Its the way of the future get with the program.

[Robert Diez]

agree i have almost got hit doing nothing wrong . All these time when i nearly got hit i was in the wrong. PS take away their liceance from them.

[Robert Diez]

We have a right to the road too . Some of us follow the law when other take risk and i'm not one of them as far as i know you guys are cool with runners on the road . How bout the same respect for cyclist . And for a change you should get out their and know what it is like. all you do is push a peddle to the floor an go faster how bout you produce your own and cut co2 emisson down.