Ask any driver what they think of bicyclists, and you may get some not-so-nice answers. To many motorists, anyone peddling on the roads is more of a distraction and a nuisance than anything else. No matter what you think of cyclists, however, you still have to have the road with them, which means you need to know how to stay safe. 

By keeping these three tips in mind, you should be able to expertly navigate the roads while still allowing cyclists their fair share of space. 

1. Keep your line of vision open
Watching out for cyclists isn't the same as observing other cars. They can move faster in traffic, be temporarily hidden by other cars or follow their own rules of the road. As such, you have to be able to survey your entire surroundings to watch out for bicyclists. Check your mirrors constantly and make sure to look for these travelers behind other obstacles. You should also clean your windows, upgrade your wipers and fix your windshield if a quality boost is needed. 

2. Defer to safety
Whenever you're in doubt about what to do, defer to the safest possible option. Slow down when you approach cyclists and leave a cushion of at least three feet when passing them. Always assume bicycles will be following their own rules – that way, you won't make a hasty decisions that leads to a bad collision. 

3. Know how they operate
Rules regarding bicyclists are different in each region. For example, in New York City, peddlers are always supposed to be limited to the separate bike path in between the sidewalk and the roadway. There are also variances by state, as some allow bicycles to go through stop signs or even red lights if the traffic is clear, even though normal drivers have to stay put. Learn what the rules are for your area so you know what to expect from these individuals. 

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