Valuable Safety Tips for Cyclists
Do you like to ride your bicycle? Cycling is a popular method of transportation, exercise, socialization, and many other beneficial things. However, it presents a rather high degree of danger for riders who share the road with vehicles. Bicycles are much smaller and much lighter than a car with less safety equipment, meaning riders frequently suffer serious injuries when they collide with car. Some of these injuries can be prevented by a little bit of extra precaution. On this blog, we examine some of these precautions.
Know the Laws
Cyclists who don’t know or follow the laws put themselves in significantly increased danger simply because they may do something a driver doesn’t expect. Each state has its own rules for cyclists; be sure to familiarize yourself with Pennsylvania’s laws and follow them at all times.
Dress to Be Seen
Have you ever wondered why so many cyclists choose to wear bright, obnoxious colors? Bright colors are more easily seen, particularly at night when headlights are the only thing allowing a driver to see a cyclist on the roads. If you enjoy riding, always be sure you wear something that allows you to be easily seen, including reflective clothing if you have it!
Ride to The Right
It’s illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk or into oncoming traffic where you can see cars coming in front of you, so always be sure to ride as far to the right side of the road as possible, allowing drivers to give you a nice wide berth. There are exceptions to this obviously (to make a left turn, for example), but try to adhere to this rule as a general principle.
Make Eye Contact
Need to get across a lane? In addition to signaling your intentions with your hands, making eye contact with drivers can help you be sure they know you’re there and won’t accidentally run into you. It also reminds motorists that you are a “real” person, and to give you a fair amount of respect and space on the road.
If you are injured as a result of a cycling accident, be sure to review your legal options with an Altoona personal injury attorney experienced in handling bike accident. Since our firm opened its doors more than 100 years ago, the legal team at Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith have strived to provide compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation for victims of injuries. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of client service and legal ability, and are fully prepared to put the law on your side when you need financial compensation for your injuries.
Review your case with a skilled member of our team today! Contact Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith today to schedule a consultation.