Cycling is a fantastic way to get fit, enjoy the great outdoors, and is a more environmentally friendly way to get around town, but it doesn’t come without its risks. Cyclists must watch out for drivers who may not be paying attention and they must also obey special traffic laws that keep them safe and help them avoid collisions. Injuries from a bicycle accident can range from minor to substantial, and severe accidents can even lead to death.
Let’s learn about all the ways that cyclists can avoid bicycling accidents and stay safe on the roads.
WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR
When you are cycling, it’s crucial that you wear a properly fitting helmet that can help protect your head if you get into an accident. Your helmet must be federally approved, and it must not have been worn in a prior cycling accident because it is only designed to withstand one impact.
Riders without a proper helmet are much more likely to have severe head injuries than those who wear one.
FOLLOW TRAFFIC LAWS
Just because your bike isn’t as fast as a car doesn’t mean that you still don’t have to follow traffic laws when you’re riding out on the street. Many cities have protected bike lanes, but this doesn’t mean that you can ignore traffic lights, stop signs, or crosswalks.
When you’re riding your bike in traffic you must follow the flow of traffic, stop at all designated stoplights and stop signs and look out for pedestrians just as an automobile would.
MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE
One of the easiest ways to avoid a bicycling accident is to make sure that you are visible to the drivers on the road. This is especially true at night when it becomes harder for drivers to see a cyclist. Wear light-colored or reflective clothing when you’re cycling at night and be sure to have a light attached to your bike so that drivers can see you out in traffic.
BE FOCUSED ON THE ROAD
The best way to avoid a bicycling accident is to keep complete focus and attention on the road. This means that you shouldn’t be listening to music while you cycle, and you should never ever cycle while you’re using your phone or while you’re under the influence of alcohol.
While you should always take precautions to avoid an accident while you’re riding your bike, sometimes unfortunately all the precautions can’t protect you from an inattentive or careless driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycling accident in Georgia, you’ll need a professional personal injury legal team to help you understand your rights and pursue any compensation you’re owed for medical debt or lost wages. Contact the Fry | Goehring at (404) 948-3571 to set up a consultation today!
