Ways You Can Protect Yourself From Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents most often happen due to bikes not being visible to cars and other larger vehicle drivers. Bicycle riders must make themselves visible to these drivers to ensure they know there are bicycles they need to keep spaces for and drive accordingly. Bicycle accidents can, the majority of the time, turn out to be extremely serious because they do not have a car to protect their body. You can speak to a lawyer to learn more about bicycle accidents and their effects.
Ways you can protect yourself from bicycle accidents
- Use Hand Signals
Signaling your move by using hand signals is an excellent way of letting other drivers know you are there. While riding in a group, this practice is required. However, it is also necessary when riding alone or with a companion. You can point to your destination and indicate to the driver where you want to go. The most important thing is to signal in a timely, transparent, and predictable manner.
- Avoid Arterial Roads
Avoid arterial roads whenever you can, as they typically pass through commercial areas and handle large volumes of traffic. They often have multiple lanes and faster (above 35 & up to 45 mph) speed limits. Furthermore, speed increases the likelihood of severe injuries in an accident, as we all know. Even with a bike lane, arterial roads still carry the risk of more opportunities for you to come into contact with drivers because they are dotted with business establishments and places for vehicles to pull over or turn in. It is preferable to travel on alternate, safer routes to your destination.
- Never Assume Drivers See You
When riding a bike, never presume that a driver is looking at you. Examples of riders believing a car is stopping for them are common, but the driver never follows through. When a vehicle approaches a side street while you are riding, make sure the driver sees you and knows to stop. You should be slowing down as a kind of signal if they are not slowing down. When they finally stop, you should focus on the front wheel’s hubcap because it is easier to see it moving than it is to determine whether the car is speeding as a whole. Always assume that other drivers in your immediate vicinity need to hear you clearly explain what you are doing.
These are a few tips on how you can protect yourself from bicycle accidents, no matter how small they are. Be safe!
