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Vancouver police say that an average of 450 cyclists are hurt and three are killed in traffic collisions between June and September every year in the Lower Mainland.

So the department has released a set of tips for drivers:

actively watch for cyclists on the road - make eye contact with cyclists whenever possible to let them know you have seen them

shoulder-check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left

before you or a passenger opens a vehicle door, shoulder-check for cyclists coming from behind

before you pull away from the curb, make sure you shoulder-check for cyclists

if you need to cross a bike lane to turn right or to pull to the side of the road, signal well in advance and yield to cyclists

if you're entering the roadway from a laneway or parking lot, always scan for cyclists and other road users

It's not always the driver's fault, right? The VPD also put out these tips for cyclists:

cycle responsibly

plan your route before you go, give yourself plenty of time and choose bike lanes and paths where possible; if you're new to cycling, plan your cycling route and pick routes with less traffic - municipalities often have great maps of bike routes on their websites

be aware of what's going on around you at all times and scan ahead for hazards like potholes, gravel, glass and drainage grates; watch for vehicles entering the roadway from laneways and parking lots

when turning, shoulder-check well in advance, hand signal and then, with both hands on the handle bars, shoulder check again before turning

ride at least one metre away from parked vehicles to avoid being hit by an opening door or a vehicle pulling into your lane from the curb; use caution if you notice someone in the vehicle

wear a helmet

it's illegal to cycle on most sidewalks and in crosswalks; it puts pedestrians in danger and drivers don't expect cyclists to enter the roadway from a sidewalk

get a bell for your bike to help pedestrians hear you

when riding at dusk, dawn or at night, your bike must be equipped with a white headlight visible at 150 metres and a rear red light and reflector visible at 100 metres - consider adding more lights to be even more visible.

Don't worry, pedestrians. The VPD has some tips for you too:

always make eye contact with an approaching driver or cyclist before crossing the road, and assume they cannot see you

wear bright reflective clothing at night or during poor visibility

don’t J-walk – cross roads at crosswalks and obey traffic signals

pay Attention – don’t text while walking

Why don't we all just drive/ride/walk safe this summer?