6 Ways To Improve Your Safety While Riding A Bicycle
In addition to being an excellent exercise, riding a bike is lots of fun. If you get really good at it, you can even become a professional cyclist and participate in competitive cycling. You could even start pulling some of those incredible bike stunts you see from experienced riders out there. However, in the event of the unexpected, bike injuries can cause grave injuries. Especially in traffic, some of these accidents actually result in death on the spot. This is why you should always be extra careful when riding a bike. Fortunately, the following nuggets can help you maximize your safety on the road riding a bicycle.
1. Obey Traffic Rules
Obeying the traffic rules is the number one dictum to keeping safe on the road. Make sure to adhere to all traffic rules, including flowing with the traffic instead of riding against it. Look out for lane markings to ensure you stick to your designated position.
For instance, if there is a stop sign, ensure you stop even if there are no oncoming cars or pedestrians to check whether the road is clear before proceeding.
2. Know What to Do After an Accident
Nonetheless, you may get into a bike accident even after observing all the rules in the book, where the other road user is often to blame for the accident. In this case, it pays to know what to do after such an accident. If you click here, you will learn how a bicycle accident lawyer can help you as a victim of a bike crash. They can help determine whether you have a case and guide you in pursuing compensation if so.
Apart from consulting an attorney, here are a few things you need to do after a bike accident:
- Get to safety away from the road
- Call nine-one-one
- Seek medical attention
- Notify the police
- Collect witness statements if possible
- Collect the other road user’s details (plate number, insurance, contacts, etc.)
- File your compensation case with the help of your attorney
3. Avoid Night Rides
Myriads of people visit the emergency room because of bicycle accidents every year. Bicycle accidents have been increasing in recent years. The majority of these accidents are caused by carelessness. Riding your bicycle at night is the riskiest affair you can ever involve yourself in. It’s a recipe for disaster. Daytime is always the safest time to ride a bike. You can see other people and motorists on the road, and they can see you. If you have to ride at night, ensure your bike has fixed reflectors. It should be in the front and rear.
4. Helmet and Reflective Gear
One of the significant culprits for cycling crashes is the lack of safety gear while on the road. Unfortunately, most bicyclists tend to ignore them. If you are not visible on the road, how then can you evade an accident? Always wear reflective gear with neon material before hopping onto your bike. It will increase your visibility on the road, during day or night time, and reduce your chances of suffering an accident.
Don’t forget to grab a helmet. It will keep you from sustaining fatal injuries on the head in case of an accident. Avoid second hand or hand-me-down helmets. They are mostly cracked or broken. They can’t provide the needed protection.
5. The Bike Should Be In Good Shape
Riding on malfunctioning equipment can be a tragedy on the road. Make it a habit to check your bike’s functionality before hitting the road. It will not cost you a dime to carry out a basic safety check on your bike once a week or so. Make sure to have a maintenance checklist for your bike. This means ensuring the tires and wheel are inflated well, the brakes are working perfectly, lights and reflectors are good, side mirrors check, and that the chain is well lubricated.
6. Watch Out For Any Hazards
Riding a bike is one thrilling experience. You not only keep your body fit but also get to enjoy some fresh breath of air. To maximally enjoy the ride, it’s always prudent to remain on high alert at all times for any red flags. The roads are always full of surprises from obstacles and distractions.
To be on the safe side, never ride blindly no matter how clear the road may look. An animal might just cross in front of you. You could also hit an unexpected porthole or huge cracks on the road, which could easily make you lose balance and push you into an accident. Be on the lookout for intersections, weather hazards, crosswalks, and so forth. Don’t forget to keep your hands firmly on the bike. Your life and wellness are your greatest wealth. As a bicyclist, you must take time to familiarize yourself and understand the different safety standards to ensure you are secure on the road. The above safety measures will help you navigate through the roads more confidently and give you a safer, enjoyable ride.