8 Critical Bicycle Safety Tips
Riding a bicycle is a great workout that can be challenging and fun. However, bicycling can also be a means of commuting between work and home. Although bicycling down a road can seem like a leisurely activity, it is not! Riding a bike in traffic can be extremely dangerous, and critical steps need to be taken to avoid bicycle accidents from occurring in Georgia.
Before you take your next bike ride, please read these safety tips:
- Follow rules: The rules of the road are not only for drivers of cars, but they apply to bicyclists as well. Stop at the red lights and stop signs and yield to other drivers.
- Ride predictably: Bicyclists need to ride on the right side of the road in a predictable manner, which means no swerving in and out of lanes. Ride with the flow of traffic and not against it.
- Signal your intentions: Bicyclists need to signal their intentions so that others sharing the road know what direction they are headed.
- Wear safety gear: Wear a helmet to protect your head in case of a bicycle crash. Also, attach a rear-view mirror to your helmet. Wear reflective gear, and make sure that your bike has the proper reflectors and lights on the front, side, and back of your bicycle.
- Pick the best route: When you are planning to ride your bicycle in Georgia, look for what the best route for bicycles. Pick streets with paved bicycle lanes that have less traffic.
- Don't listen to music: Wearing headphones and listening to music while riding a bicycle is not safe. Leave the music at home so that you can listen to the road noise.
- Check your bike: Inspect your bicycle's tires before riding, and replace any worn out or damaged component on your bike to make sure it is functioning properly.
- Make smart decisions: Watch for potholes, parked cars with open car doors, obstacles in the road, and street conditions. Look before you change lanes. Never ride drunk.
Even the smartest, safest, and most experienced bicycle rider cannot prevent a bicycle accident if there are negligent drivers on the road. However, these safety tips will help to minimize your involvement in bicycle crashes.
If you have been involved and injured in a bicycle crash, you need to speak with a knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney in Georgia.
