Bicycle riding is popular in the US. Bicycles are a great way to travel, as they are fun, healthy, and eco-friendly. One problem with bicycles is the lack of protection they offer. With the rise in bicycle accidents, this lack of protection proves to be a huge problem. Victims suffer many types of losses in the event of an accident.
If you’re a victim, a bicycle accident lawyer can help file a claim and secure fair compensation for your losses.
The following article highlights some tips for staying safe while riding a bicycle. That said, let’s get started.
Major Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Before we look at the tips, let’s go through the factors that lead to bicycle injuries or deaths:
- Distracted driving
- Disobeying traffic lights
- Not using designated bike paths
- Poor road conditions
- Drunk driving
- Bad weather
Bicycle Riding Tips to Stay Safe
Undoubtedly, it’s tough to avoid cycling collisions, especially when other motorists and pedestrians are at fault. The following are tips to ensure that you’re always on the safer side.
Watch Out for Pedestrians
Usually, pedestrians ignore cyclists, barely giving them way on the streets. If you’re in a similar situation, try to move away or slow down to give the passerby a head start.
Distractions from pedestrians can result in driving off the road and colliding with speeding vehicles. You can also hit other pedestrians or objects like walls and road signs. Speeding in such situations may lead to severe injuries and damage.
Strictly Use the Bike Path
A report by the New York Times states that 30 cyclist deaths were recorded in zones without proper bicycle infrastructure in 2023. Bike lanes give cyclists enough space, reducing the risk of colliding or being hit by a car.
Be Keen on Main Roads
Sharing the roads with other motorists is challenging. You’re typically forced to predict their actions. For instance, drivers may unintentionally swerve you off the road when changing lanes.
Here are ways you can protect yourself on the road:
- Strictly cross streets on marked intersections.
- Avoid crossing multilane roads.
- Don’t match speeds with a vehicle. They might suddenly hit you while changing lanes.
- Slow down when nearing an intersection.
- Ride on the far right side of the road.
Always Wear a Helmet
Having a quality bicycle helmet can help you avoid severe head injuries like concussions, deep cuts, and skull cracks. Ensure you get the right fit. This can minimize sudden brain motion during impactful crashes. Having other protective gear, like riding gloves and knee or elbow guards, is also important.
Increase Your Visibility
Staying visible is a combination of having proper bicycle gear and using specific signals while on the road. It alerts other users of your presence and actions.
To increase your visibility:
- Wear reflective gear or bright-colored clothes.
- Use hand signals when changing lanes or directions.
- Use bicycle lights or reflective tape at night.
- Make eye contact with drivers or pedestrians.
- Install a horn or bell.
Improve Your Bicycle Riding Skills
Since road situations are unpredictable, continuing training to improve your cycling skills is crucial. You can use residential streets to practice what to do in an emergency, such as reacting when a car suddenly backs towards you.
Other Tips to Improve Bicycle Riding Safety
Here are more ways to improve bicycle riding safety:
- Follow the various riding rules put in place by the law.
- Cycle towards the traffic’s direction.
- Avoid riding on busy days or in the summer.
- Don’t use your phone or headphones while cycling.
Conclusion
There’s always a way to maintain safety on the ever-dangerous Long Island roads and streets. Adhering to the methods discussed helps evade avoidable accidents. Also, staying on the right helps if you’re unfortunately involved in a bicycle accident. Your lawyer will have an easy time filing and battling for your claim.
