Bicycle Safety Tips From a Personal Injury Lawyer

Posted on 11/16/24

in Bicycle Injury, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

As roads have gotten more congested, cars have gotten larger and heavier, the forces they inflict on other card, bicyclists, and pedestrians has increased significantly. This means the chances of significant personal injury have gone up and major injuries or death are much more common in automobile accidents. Therefore, both drivers and bicyclists should be hyper aware of each other to help minimize the chances of car verses bicycle collisions. Here are a few safety tips to help reduce the chances of bicycle accidents.

Tips for Cyclists

  • Always wear a helmet. A helmet is the single most important piece of safety gear for cyclists. It can help protect your head in the event of a crash.
  • Obey the rules of the road. Cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists. This includes obeying traffic signals and signs, riding on the right side of the road, and signaling when turning.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Be on the lookout for other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles in the road.
  • Use hand signals. Use hand signals to let other drivers know what you are going to do. This includes signaling when you are turning, stopping, or slowing down.
  • Ride defensively. Assume that other drivers do not see you and ride accordingly.
  • Be visible. Make sure you are visible to other drivers by wearing bright colors and reflective gear.
  • Avoid riding at night. If you must ride at night, use lights and reflectors to make yourself more visible.
  • Ride in a safe place. Avoid riding on busy roads or in areas with poor visibility.
  • Be prepared for the unexpected. Be prepared to react to unexpected situations, such as a car door opening or a child running into the street.

Tips for Drivers

  • Be aware of cyclists. Cyclists are entitled to the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Be sure to look out for them when you’re driving.
  • Give cyclists plenty of space. When you’re passing a cyclist, give them at least three feet of space.
  • Don’t honk your horn at cyclists. Honking your horn can startle a cyclist and cause them to lose control.
  • Don’t tailgate cyclists. Tailgating a cyclist can make it difficult for them to stay safe.
  • Be patient. Cyclists may not be able to go as fast as cars. Be patient and allow them to merge into traffic safely.

Contact an Oakland Personal Injury Lawyer After a Bike Accident

By following these tips, we can all help make our roads safer for cyclists and drivers. If you are in a bike accident, you may need to retain an Oakland accident attorney to help protect your rights. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our bicycle accident attorneys, if you have any questions. We can be reached at 925-433-6023 or by clicking the links above.