Riding a bicycle can provide reliable transportation and is a great form of exercise. However, when you share the road with motorized vehicles, you must be very careful. Bicyclists have less protection than motorists, so they can suffer severe injuries in accidents. Here are a few ways to avoid getting into a bicycle accident.
Check Your Brakes
Motorists aren’t the only ones who should be checking their brakes regularly. It’s also important for bicyclists to inspect their brakes before taking a ride. Squeeze each brake lever and feel for vibration and uneven braking. If the brakes seem off, replace the brake pads as soon as possible. If you ride a bicycle with faulty brakes, you will have trouble stopping and increase your risk of an accident.
Don’t Ride in Poor Weather Conditions
If you’re going to ride your bicycle, it’s best to do so in good weather conditions. Riding your bicycle through heavy winds or rain can be dangerous. You may have trouble seeing where you’re going and crash into a vehicle or other object.
Be Defensive
When you’re riding your bicycle, you must be on the lookout for potential dangers, such as aggressive drivers and potholes. If you observe these hazards soon enough, you may be able to avoid them. On the other hand, if you’re distracted by your smartphone or something else, you may miss these dangers and get into an accident.
Obey the Traffic Laws
Bicyclists are expected to follow the same traffic laws as motorists, including stopping at stop signs and red lights, riding in the same direction as traffic, and using proper turn signals. While you may not be able to control what other motorists do, you can control your own actions. Even if you don’t see any other vehicles on a quiet residential road, you should still make a full stop at a stop sign. If you follow all the traffic laws, you will be less likely to get into an accident.
Wear Bright Clothes
Sometimes motorists aren’t always attentive and may not notice bicyclists on the road. That’s why it’s important to wear bright clothes while you’re riding your bicycle. Doing so will make yourself more visible to motorists and reduce the risk of collisions.
Even if you take all the proper precautions, you can still get into a bicycle accident. If you were hurt in an accident caused by a motorist, contact a bicycle accident lawyer, like one from Burton Law Firm.