Cyclists know well that they are in danger when they ride, in large part due to the traffic around them.
Because a bike is small and offers no protection of its own, all a motorist has to do is make one minor mistake to cause an accident that leaves the cyclist with severe injuries. This can happen at low or high speeds.
Tips for cyclist safety
It’s clear that cyclists need to wear helmets and provide themselves with as much safety equipment as possible, but even the best equipment on the market today isn’t the same as being in a vehicle. What else can cyclists do to stay safe this summer? Here are some suggestions:
- Wear bright clothing. If possible, wear reflective clothing.
- Ride during the day and spend as little time out after dark as possible.
- For both day and night driving, ride with a bright light on the front and back of the bike.
- Use hand signals when turning or changing lanes.
- Ride without listening to music or anything else on headphones.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic, close to the curb or in the bike lane.
- Become a defense rider, always staying alert and anticipating the mistakes that drivers are bound to make.
Much of the focus, as you can see, is on being highly visible. Accidents are simply more likely when drivers don’t see cyclists, so standing out can drastically increase safety.
What if you do get injured by a negligent driver?
These tips do not guarantee you won’t get injured in an accident with a negligent driver. If you do, be sure you know what steps to take to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.