Biking is a popular activity, but it also leads to 1.2 million doctor’s clinic visits, 580,000 emergency department visits, 23,000 hospital admissions, and 900 deaths each year. While the stats are a bit disconcerting, they don’t stop people from biking because they know it’s a great way to exercise and have fun outside.
However, there’s a difference between biking and biking smart, and that’s why it’s important to understand and follow bike safety tips. As we celebrate National Bike Month, here are our top bike tips to ensure your safety on the road.
Wear a helmet
About 85 percent of all bike-related deaths are head injuries. While there is no federal law about wearing a helmet, 22 states have state-wide laws requiring helmets. Many of those regulations involve helmet-wearing requirements for children under 18, but there are 49 local ordinances for all ages.
Use hand signals
Learn the standard hand signals for the road and use them whenever you’re out riding your bike. It can be as simple as sticking your left arm out straight, parallel to the ground, to show a left-hand turn. Holding your left arm at a 90-degree angle (almost like you are flexing a muscle) shows a right turn.
Make yourself visible
Wear bright, reflective clothing, and use lights on your bike. You are more difficult to see than a car or truck, particularly when you factor in blind spots and heavy traffic. Avoid weaving in and out of traffic, and use a bike bell or horn to make yourself heard.
Follow the rules of the road
When you’re riding your bike, you must obey all traffic signals and signs, as well as go with the flow of traffic. While you should ride single file alongside traffic, you want to walk your bike across intersections and always keep your hands on the handlebars.
Be alert when riding your bike
Don’t ride while distracted or impaired in any way. As you ride, watch for cracks, loose gravel, wet surfaces, or other road hazards. Watch for pedestrians and other traffic and obstructions in the road, whether you’re on a bike path or surface streets.
Make sure the bike is right for you
If the bike is too big for you or you’re unfamiliar with using it, you may have trouble managing the bike or responding quickly to traffic or environmental changes. Also, keep your bike in excellent condition, with properly inflated tires, a clean bike chain, and non-squeaky and quick-to-respond brakes.
Next Step: Know Who to Call When You Need A Lawyer
Even when you follow all the rules and are fully prepared and alert when you ride your bike, you could still experience a personal injury from a bike accident. If you need a bike accident lawyer who can let you know whether you have a case, give us a call. At Bennett Injury Law, we have the experience and knowledge you need for personal injury lawsuits, and we’ll walk you through the entire process.
