Do you want to avoid serious injury while riding your bike on the road? Click here for the top 5 tips for avoiding getting into a bicycle accident.
Do you love biking? Or, are you looking to buy a bike soon and start riding regularly?
Biking offers many benefits. You get some exercise, save on gas, and help the environment. But, even with all these benefits, there are still some dangers that come with riding a bike.
In 2015, there were around 467,000 bike-related injuries and 1,000 bicyclists died.
And, what’s sad is that a lot of these injuries and deaths probably could have been prevented had the property safety measures been taken.
So, how do you make sure you don’t become a part of these statistics?
Read on to learn the top 5 safety tips to avoid serious injury in a bicycle accident.
1. Wear a Helmet
Some people don’t like wearing helmets because they think they’ll look dorky or that they’ll mess up their hair.
Well, looking dorky or messing up your hair is a small price to pay compared to what could happen if you’re injured without a helmet on.
Wearing a helmet significantly reduced your risk of brain injury in the event of a crash. Plus, bike helmets aren’t all that expensive. And, some states now have laws requiring you to wear bike helmets.
Do yourself a favor, and wear a bike helmet every time you go for a ride.
2. Be Smart About Traffic
A lot of bike-related injuries and deaths occur when traffic is at its peak.
If you are biking in areas with a lot of traffic, you need to be extra careful as a cyclist. Many cities now have lanes specially dedicated to bikes. But, don’t let this fool you into thinking you are automatically safe because you have your own lane.
To prevent accidents in traffic, do the following:
- Bike defensively- Always assume the driver doesn’t see you coming
- Follow the rules of the road– Just like drivers, bikers need to follow the rules of the road. Stick your left hand out to signal when you’re turning left, and your right hand out to signal when you’re turning right.
- Be extra careful when crossing intersections
- Respect the right of way pedestrians (those walking)
- Obey all traffic lights, even when streets appear empty
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Wear reflectors if you are riding at night
- Avoid riding with headphones in
3. Check Yourself Before Embarking On Your Journey
Before you hop on your bike and take off, check that everything is in order.
Tie your shoelaces so they don’t get caught in the bike chain. Properly secure your helmet. If you start riding and you notice a funny noise, stop your bike ride and figure out what’s going on before you continue.
And, if you are taking things with you (aka a backpack, or a bag) make sure it’s secured before you leave. Having to adjust a backpack while you’re mid-ride can easily result in injury.
Use These Tips to Prevent Bicycle Accidents
By implementing these tips, you are helping to eliminate bicycle accidents across the country, and you’re making the road a safer place for drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
If, however, you have already been in an accident, you are probably looking for some advice on what to do next. Please contact our law office to learn how we can help.