The benefits of using a bicycle for transportation are abundant. Fresh air. Exercise. Decreased stress levels. Reduced carbon footprint. A closer connection with the local community. Better heart and lung health. Enjoyment of the surrounding scenery. Efficiency. Improved navigational skills.

But those who take their bicycles on roads heavily populated by cars should rightly wonder: Is road cycling dangerous? There’s no doubt that a bicycle is highly vulnerable when surrounded by vehicles roughly 100 times its size in weight. A 20-pound open-air machine is no match for one ton of enclosed metal. There are certainly many dangers to cyclists on roadways. But riding a bike is statistically much safer than driving a car—only about 2% of vehicle crash deaths each year are bicyclists.

One of the unanticipated cultural side effects of COVID-19 was a phenomenon that has been referred to as a “bike boom.” The city of Charleston has long been a favorite with bicyclists both local and tourist. And the rise in biking for transportations over the past two years has increased the number of bikes on our roads. But an increase in the number of bikes has brought with it a rising number of bicycle accidents. More than ever, it’s important to know how to ride a bike safely.