Coach's Corner — What Causes Cycling Accidents?

Our Coach’s Corner series is your chance to have your biggest cycling questions answered — right from longtime cycling coach Darryl MacKenzie. In these short Q&As, Coach Darryl speaks from his 35+ years of cycling and coaching experience to help you become a stronger, smarter cyclist.

Shaken Cyclist:

Coach, I’ve heard about an unusually high number of crashes lately. What can cause these cycling accidents, and how can I prevent them?

Coach Darryl:

There are almost as many reasons for road crashes as there are crashes themselves. And, since every rider is different, some causes are highly probable for certain cyclists, yet very unlikely for others. 

Besides environmental circumstances (like slippery roads or bright sunlight) that can cause cycling accidents, many specific situations can increase the probability of a crash:

• Riding more frequently: Overextending your body can ultimately tax your mind. The more hours you’ve pedaled recently, the more likely your mind is to drift from the road in distraction. I know one cyclist who rode a long event two weekends in a row, then pedaled all three days the following weekend. On the third day, this rider’s attention wandered, and they missed a road bump, leading to a crash. The lesson? Keep vigilant, especially when pedaling more hours than normal. But even more importantly, know when to take a break.
• Pedaling when emotionally distressed: Sometimes, your mind is already overloaded enough, even if you haven’t been riding too much. Another cyclist I know went riding soon after having an argument with a family member. Sure enough, he was preoccupied while riding and never saw the huge hump in the road — another crash. As the old saying goes, when you are here, be here (mentally). If you have pressing issues on your mind, it may not be a good day to pedal. 
• Cycling in adverse weather: When it’s raining or foggy, cyclists often get “tunnel vision,” staring constantly at the ground in front of the bike. Likewise, when it’s hotter or colder than normal, riders often concentrate on their discomfort rather than focusing on the road. Either way, they forget to scan ahead for hazards, and the consequences can be disastrous.

These are just a few common riding conditions that create ideal conditions for an accident. No doubt, you can think of other circumstances. Not too long ago, I went to a dental appointment with my bike and cycling clothes, ready for a nice ride afterward. I ended up preoccupied by some bad news from the dentist, and I knew I would be thinking about it on my ride. The risk of distraction was too great, so I decided to pass on the ride and simply drove home.  

You can’t possibly predict or prevent every accident, but being perceptive enough to know when the conditions aren’t right can help you avoid a lot of dangerous moments. Know yourself and when you tend to be less attentive. If it’s one of those times, either skip the ride that day or make an extra effort to stay focused on what you’re doing.