It doesn’t matter if you’re riding your bicycle to and from work or for nothing more than pleasure, your safety is priority number one. If you don’t have your safety in mind at all times, there’s a greater risk of being part of an accident.
Fortunately, there are several bicycle safety tips you can follow to improve your safety and feel better about tackling the road. Here are five things to keep in mind:
- Opening doors are dangerous: When a person opens a car door into your path, you only have two options: Attempt to get out of the way or strike it head on. While moving would be in your best interest, it’s not always possible to do so. And even if it is, it could result in another accident, such as one with a moving vehicle.
- Watch for turning vehicles: When a driver turns, they don’t always look to see if someone, such as a bicyclist, is in their blind spot. Take special caution as you get closer to intersections.
- Don’t spook pedestrians: Cars aren’t the only thing you have to worry about as a bicyclist. Do your best to pass behind pedestrians, as riding in front of them can startle them and force you to make a quick decision.
- Watch for aggressive drivers: Despite the many laws designed to help drivers and bicyclists share the road, it doesn’t always happen. Many drivers don’t care to share the road with bicyclists, which increases the chance of an accident.
- Use the bicycle lane: When available, spend your time driving in a designated bicycle lane. You don’t have to worry about cars here. Furthermore, it’s designed for your safety.
With these bicycle safety tips guiding every move you make, you should find it easier to avoid an accident.
If a driver makes a mistake that causes a crash, such as veering into the bicycle lane, stay where you are as you call for help.
Most car-bicycle accidents result in serious injury, as you don’t have a lot of protection. Once you receive treatment, it’s important to contact your insurance agent and to also learn more about your legal rights. You can take steps to hold the driver responsible for their negligence, while also seeking compensation for injuries and other damages.
