GM's new Side Bicyclist Alert system enhances road safety by alerting drivers to cyclists in their blind spots, helping prevent accidents and promoting safer shared roads for all.

GM Introduces Side Bicyclist Alert System to Enhance Road Safety for Cyclists

GM’s new Side Bicyclist Alert system enhances road safety by alerting drivers to cyclists in their blind spots, helping prevent accidents and promoting safer shared roads for all.

As more Americans turn to bicycles for commuting, errands, and recreation, roads are becoming shared spaces, making safety for cyclists a growing priority. To address this, General Motors has introduced Side Bicyclist Alert, a technology designed to increase driver awareness of cyclists in their vehicle’s blind zones.

The system activates an amber icon in the side mirror if a cyclist is detected in the blind spot or approaching quickly during a lane change. If the driver signals to turn while a cyclist is present, the alert flashes, and the system may chime or pulse the Safety Alert Seat, depending on the vehicle’s equipment.

Side Bicyclist Alert also aims to prevent “dooring” accidents, which occur when drivers open their door into the path of a cyclist. The system remains active for a few minutes after the vehicle is parked, using alerts to warn drivers of nearby cyclists.

Additionally, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking is available on some GM vehicles. This technology helps detect cyclists or pedestrians in front of the vehicle at speeds between 5 and 50 mph.

If a collision risk is identified, the system provides flashing alerts, audio warnings, and seat pulses. If the driver doesn’t brake in time, the system may automatically engage emergency braking.

According to the CDC, around 1,000 cyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes on U.S. roads annually. While GM’s technologies like Side Bicyclist Alert and Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking are helping improve safety, experts advocate for additional measures such as installing more separated bike lanes in high-traffic areas.

These safety features will come standard on select 2025 GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Equinox and Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado EV.

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