Collision Type No. 7 > The Rear End

Skate safety:

10 Ways to Not Get Hit

Collision Type No. 7
The Rear End

You innocently move a little to the left to go around a parked car or some other obstruction, and you get nailed by a car coming up from behind.

How to avoid this collision:

1. Never, ever move left without looking behind you first. Some motorists like to pass skaters within mere inches, so moving even a tiny bit to the left unexpectedly could put you in the path of a car. Practice holding a straight line while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly.

2. Don't swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains parked cars. You might be tempted to ride in the parking lane where there are no parked cars, dipping back into the traffic lane when you encounter a parked car. This puts you at risk for getting nailed from behind. Instead, ride a steady, straight line in the traffic lane.

3. Use a mirror. If you don't have one, go to a bike shop and get one. There are models that fit on your helmet or glasses. You should always physically look back over your shoulder before moving left, but having a mirror still helps you monitor traffic without constantly having to look behind you.

(Go to Collision Type 8)