Across the country, more people are choosing bicycles, electric bicycles (e-bikes), and electric scooters (e-scooters) as convenient alternatives to driving, especially in crowded urban areas and during the warmer months.
While these micromobility options ease traffic and reduce emissions, their growing popularity has also led to a rise in collisions involving motor vehicles. These crashes tend to spike starting in May—which coincides with National Bicycle Safety Month—making it the perfect time to reinforce the importance of learning how to share the road with bicyclists and other micromobility users.
Unique Challenges for Drivers
Bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters operate differently than passenger and commercial vehicles, and their presence on the road introduces distinct challenges that every driver must be prepared to navigate:
Perception Issues – Micromobility vehicles have small, narrow profiles that make it difficult for drivers to accurately gauge how fast they are moving or how far away they are. This issue is even more pronounced with e-bikes and e-scooters, which often travel faster than conventional bicycles. As a result, drivers may misjudge how much time they have to turn, merge, or cross safely in front of riders—leading to potentially dangerous situations.
Unpredictable Movements – Riders frequently shift between bike lanes, sidewalks, and traffic lanes, which makes their movements hard to anticipate. Younger riders are more likely to act impulsively and overlook potential dangers.
Silent Operation – Unlike cars or motorcycles, micromobility vehicles are nearly silent, offering no audible cues to alert drivers of their presence.
Poor Visibility – Bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters often lack proper lighting or reflectors, and riders may wear dark clothing, making them harder to see, especially at night or in inclement weather.
Distracted Riding – Headphones and earbuds are common among riders, masking ambient noise like traffic, horns, or sirens and reducing their awareness and reaction time.
Inexperience – Many riders, especially those on rented e-bikes or e-scooters, have little to no experience handling them safely, leading to a higher risk for surrounding vehicles.
Non-Compliance with Traffic Rules – While bike, e-bike, and e-scooter riders are legally required to follow all general traffic laws and signals, compliance varies—especially with casual or inexperienced riders.
Best Practices for Safe Driving Around Micromobility Users
For commercial drivers, these challenges mean greater responsibility to help reduce risks on the road. Here are best practices for safely sharing the road with bicyclists, and e-bike and e-scooter riders:
Start safely. Conduct a pre-trip inspection, as prescribed by law, and ensure mirrors are adjusted and windows are clean. Use headlights during the day to increase visibility.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan for riders not only on the street and sidewalk, but also coming out of driveways and in parking lots. Obstructions, such as trees, signs, poles, buildings, and parked vehicles may hide riders, especially children, from view.
Be extra vigilant in places where micromobility use is common, such as downtown areas, school zones, or near parks, campuses, and transit hubs. Slow down at night or in adverse weather when riders are less visible.
Watch your blind spots. Double-check mirrors before changing lanes or turning. Consider adding blind-spot mirrors or detection systems if your vehicle does not already have them.
Approach intersections carefully. Scan side to side for riders as you near the intersection and be prepared to stop. Signal well in advance of turning. When turning left, wait for riders crossing straight in the opposite direction to clear the intersection first. When turning right, check mirrors and blind spots—riders may encroach in the space between your vehicle and the curb. Be extremely cautious if crossing over a bike lane to make a turn.
Avoid blocking crosswalks. Stopping on a crosswalk can force riders into moving traffic. Yield the right of way and wait until riders have completely crossed before moving. Do not pass any vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk or intersection; it may be yielding to someone you cannot see.
Maintain a safe distance. Riders may swerve, brake, or fall unexpectedly. Even with designated bike lanes, they may need to enter the traffic lane to execute a left turn or avoid hazards.
Pass with care. Proceed slowly and allow an extra wide berth when passing riders, keeping aware of traffic approaching from the other direction. If you do not have sufficient room to pass safely, wait until there is. Reduce your speed near puddles to prevent splashing riders.
Micromobility users have the same rights on the road as motor vehicle drivers. Remain vigilant, show courtesy, and remember these riders are far more exposed and at risk in the event of a collision. At the end of the day, it is about doing all you can to safely share the road with bicyclists, e-bike and e-scooter riders, and all other road users.
