Tips For Bicycle Safety On The Road

As enjoyable as it is to ride a bicycle, it can also be dangerous to share the road with other motorists. Take the following tips to enhance your safety whenever you hit the road with your bike.

Stay On the Road

Although bicycles are non-motorized, the authorities will treat your bike just like any other vehicle. Thus, you should stay on the road and cycle in the same direction as the rest of the cars on your lane; don't cycle on the sidewalk. The only exception is if you are on an area with dedicated bicycle lanes, in which you should stay on the dedicated lanes.

Obey Traffic Rules

Since you want the authorities and motorists to treat your bike like any other vehicle, you must obey all the usual traffic rules plus any other bike-specific laws. Note that bike rules vary by jurisdiction. For example, Alabama requires all cyclists over the age of 16 to wear helmets, while Alaska doesn't have helmet rules. Thus, you should research regulations of different jurisdictions before you hit the road.

Wear a Helmet

You are safer with a helmet whether the law requires it or not. The helmet will reduce the risk or extent of injuries to your head in case of a crash. Don't forget that in case a motorist crashes into your bike and you sustain head injuries they may seek to reduce your damages if you didn't have a helmet at the time of the accident.

Maintain Your Bike

A properly-maintained bike is less likely to cause an accident than a poorly maintained one. Oil the necessary parts, ensure the brakes work, ensure the lights work, and use tires with proper treads.

Signal Properly

Since bicycles don't have mechanical signals, cyclists rely on hand signals to communicate their intentions to other road users. For example, you extend your left hand perpendicularly to your body to communicate a left turn. Learn the hand signals and always use them whenever you want to slow down or make a turn.

Stay Visible

A bicycle is relatively small as compared to other vehicles on the road. Take measures to enhance your visibility when necessary, for example, at night, dawn, dusk, or in a smog. Headlights, taillights, reflectors, and reflective clothing can all help you enhance your visibility to other motorists.

Despite your best intentions, you may still get in an accident on your bicycle. Treat that accident just like any other collision. Don't admit liability, take pictures of the accident scene, and get the contacts of potential witnesses. Provide your bicycle accident lawyer with the information so that the lawyer can help you pursue your damages.