How to Practice Road Bike Safety
Whether you like to ride a bike to work because you want a good workout, be good for the environment, or saves money, you can put yourself at risk when you are on the road. With nearly 800 bicycle accident deaths in the U.S. in 2017 and tens of thousands of injuries happening every year, you can never be too cautious when you are the one on the bike.
One of the scariest things about cycling is that 30 percent of accidents happen when a cyclist gets hit by a car. To make sure that you do not end up as another bike accident statistic, discover a few ways that you can practice road bike safety.
1. Wear a Helmet
The easiest and best thing that you can do when you ride a bike is to wear a helmet. When you shop for a bike helmet, you want to choose one that fits snugly around your entire head.
When you put it on and buckle it, try shaking your head from side to side. Does the helmet move at all? Does it become wiggly or loose? If so, then you need a new one that will fit your head better.
2. Use All of Your Hand Signals
If you do not know your hand signals, do not get on a road bike. Your hand signals act as your blinker and will alert drivers of where you plan to turn. Before you head out on the road, quiz yourself to make sure that you know your left turn and right turn signals.
3. Wear Reflective Gear
Wearing a reflective vest or reflective straps around your ankles is always the recommendation. Although this may not make you look fashionable, this gear could end up saving your life. Reflective gear during both the day and the night will send drivers a signal that you are there and will prevent them from hitting you.
4. Follow Traffic Laws
One of the first rules that you should follow as a road cyclist is to go with traffic. Essentially, you are on two wheels so you are practically like a car (but without all of the protective metal around you).
Although you are on a bike, you still need to practice traffic rules. For instance, you should never run a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic sign. Always stay in your lane, and do not weave in and out of traffic because that is how a lot of bike accidents occur.
5. Be Cautious
When getting out on the road, you can never be too cautious. You may think that other drivers have your best interest at hand, but that is not always the case.
A lot of biking accidents happen when a cyclist thinks that a car sees them when they do not. Make sure to make eye contact with the other driver before proceeding if you are at an intersection or a four-way stop. This sort of contact will help you ensure that they see you and lets them know when you plan to go so that they do not hit you.
Here at our law firm, we represent individuals who have been injured in a variety of accidents, including biking accidents. Our goal is to ensure that all of our clients get taken care of fairly and accurately. If you have recently been involved in a biking accident, let us represent you. To learn more, contact The Law Office of Daniel E. Goodman LLC. We look forward to meeting you, discussing your specific situation, and answering all questions you have about your case.