It’s Time to Teach Drivers How to Share the Road With Cyclists

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"Driving instructor teaching a class about safe passing distances and cyclist awareness using a diagram on a whiteboard."

More Than 50 Years on the Bike — And This Still Hasn’t Changed

I’ve been cycling American roads for over five decades — from the flatlands of Lubbock, Texas to the brutal climbs near San Diego. And despite all the improvements in gear, roads, and technology, one thing still hasn’t changed enough:

Many drivers still don’t know how to safely share the road with cyclists.

But here’s the thing — it’s often not due to hostility or impatience. A lot of it comes down to a simple lack of knowledge.

Most drivers have never been taught how to interact safely with cyclists.

They don’t understand how much space a cyclist needs to stay upright. They don’t realize how a car’s wind draft can destabilize a rider. And they often misinterpret a cyclist swerving as careless, when in reality, we may be dodging potholes, debris, or unexpected crosswinds.

Driver’s Education Is Failing Cyclists

Young drivers are taught how to parallel park and merge onto freeways. But few are ever taught how to share the road with someone on a bicycle — even though bikes are legally recognized vehicles on most U.S. roads.

That gap in education has deadly consequences.

A Personal Story From the Road

Just this month, I had a painful reminder of how vulnerable cyclists truly are.

During the early miles of a long-distance bike tour I had trained a year for, a towel came loose and tangled in my derailleur, locking my bike up and throwing me hard to the pavement. Just seconds later, a car sped by in the next lane.

The only reason I wasn’t hit? I happened to be in a designated bike lane. Just a few feet closer to the car lane, and this blog post might never have been written.

That moment drove home the razor-thin line between safety and tragedy. And while protected bike lanes matter, so does something else: driver awareness.

What Every Driver Needs to Learn About Cyclists

If we want to make roads safer, here’s what every driver’s education program should include:

  • 🚲 Safe passing distances (at least 3 feet — more at higher speeds)

  • 🚲 Why cyclists sometimes “take the lane” or swerve — it’s not aggression, it’s safety

  • 🚲 How to properly recognize and respect bike lanes

  • 🚲 The impact of wind and speed when passing a cyclist

  • 🚲 How to prevent “dooring” accidents using the Dutch Reach method

This isn’t just for teenagers. Driver education should be part of license renewals too, especially for those who haven’t been formally trained in years.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Cycling is booming — for fitness, transportation, and fun. But with more bikes on the road, ignorance behind the wheel becomes even more dangerous.

If we don’t update how we teach people to drive, cyclists will keep paying the price.

What You Can Do Right Now

Want to help? Here’s where to start:

  • ✅ Contact your state’s DMV or department of transportation

  • ✅ Ask your local high schools what’s included in driver’s ed

  • ✅ Talk to your city council or state representatives about including cyclist safety in public education

  • ✅ Share this message — your voice matters

We Teach Drivers to Navigate Roads — Now Let’s Teach Them to Respect Cyclists Too

We wouldn’t let someone get on the road without knowing how to handle a traffic light or a school zone. So why are we still letting people drive without understanding how to share the road with cyclists?

It's time for change — and it starts with education.

Disclaimer:
This blog reflects my personal experience and opinions as a cyclist. It is intended for informational and advocacy purposes and should not replace official traffic safety training or legal advice.

Location: Lubbock, TX, USA

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