What is one of the most common causes of car-bicycle crashes?

One of the most common causes of car-bicycle crashes is motorists turning across the path of bicyclists. This situation often occurs at intersections where cars must yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians before making a turn. If a driver fails to adequately check for bicycles before turning, they may inadvertently cross into the path of a cyclist, resulting in a collision. The speed and visibility discrepancies between cars and bicycles can exacerbate this issue, as bicyclists may often be traveling at a different speed than what drivers anticipate. Understanding this common cause underscores the importance of drivers being vigilant and checking for cyclists, especially at intersections and when making turns.

The other circumstances, while they can contribute to unsafe situations, do not commonly lead to the type of direct conflict that results in crashes as frequently. Bicyclists riding with the flow of traffic is a standard traffic law that actually promotes safety, while hesitation at stop signs or ignoring traffic signals, while risky behaviors, are generally less prevalent as direct causes of collisions compared to the failure to yield by motorists.