Bicycle Safety
Appropriate equipment and proper bicycling technique can make a world of difference for the bicycle rider trying to avoid a major bicycle accident.
Equipment to use for safe bike riding:
- A well maintained and adjusted bicycle, with particular emphasis on brakes and tires.
- Clean, effective reflectors and lights when traveling at night.
- Bright clothing to increase visibility.
- A helmet to protect against head injuries. Head injuries are the most common serious injury suffered by riders after major bicycle accidents.
- A rear view mirror attached to the helmet or glasses of the rider, or the handlebars of the bicycle, is important to permit evasive action.
Bicycling Techniques:
- Bicycle riders often share motorways with cars and other motor vehicles.
- For your safety and the safety of others, obey the rules of the road as if you were driving a car, being sure to stop at stop signs, red lights, and signals before turning or changing lanes.
- Always ride on the right side of the road.
- Stay in single file as far to the right as practical. It's both dangerous and illegal to ride on the left side of a two-way highway.
- Exercise caution when traveling through intersections.
- Be aware of traffic around you, and be prepared to brake quickly.
- Avoid traveling along the side of cars when passing through intersections -- they may turn in front of you without warning.
- When riding in a central business district, use extreme caution when passing parked cars, as occupants may not see you when opening doors or pulling out of parking spaces.
- Keep your hands on the handlebars at all times. Riding with no hands does not permit you to stop or to avoid the ever present hazards -- dogs, potholes, broken glass, cars, etc. Yield to all pedestrians. They can't foresee a dangerous situation as well as you can and may be inattentive. In addition, a bicycle is required by law to yield to pedestrians.
- Remember, your bicycle is a small, inconspicuous object that blends into surroundings from certain viewpoints. It is not easily seen on crowded streets and will seldom attract attention on its own. Do everything you can to make sure you are noticed by motorists and pedestrians.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death as the result of a bicycle accident, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
