Bicycling can be one of the best ways to get exercise. Riding a bicycle is fun and keeps you active while also providing an excellent way to get from Point A to Point B. In fact, many people are taking it up to do their daily commute. Click here to find the best bike for you.
It can be a bit dangerous, though, so you do have to be careful when you are on it. Between the condition of the road and aggressive drivers, there are dangers all around you to be aware of. Luckily, more and more cities are making things easier for bicyclists, and there are many bike accident attorneys that have expertise with cycling accidents.
In this article, we will go over several ways to keep yourself safe and avoid the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents.
Table of Contents
Use the bike path
If you are lucky enough to live in a city that takes the safety of its bicycle riders seriously, then you should have access to bike paths. For some reason, there are cyclists that will ride on the road in traffic, even right next to a bike path. It could be because they can travel faster and there are no pedestrians on the road.
You’ll still have to follow the basic rules of the road on a bike path so you can avoid pedestrians and even other cyclists.
Make sure that you’ve seen
When you can’t be on the bike path and have to ride with the rest of the cars on the road, you have to assume that nobody can see you. Wear bright-colored reflective clothing so you stand out and can’t be camouflaged.
You should also wear a light that flashes on your bicycle and on your helmet so that you will alert others to your presence, whether it is a car or even somebody crossing the street.
Plan your route
Finding a surprise when you are out and trying to get places can actually be quite dangerous. You may find that there is construction and the road is blocked. Or, the road is still open but too dangerous for a bicyclist to ride through.
There may be other things like heavy traffic or a parade that makes it difficult for you to continue safely. All of these things present a danger when you have to adapt to a situation you weren’t prepared for. Make sure to always check the route you plan to take to see if there are any issues with traveling on the roads.
Even not knowing where you are going can present a dangerous situation. When you are lost, you can make bad decisions as you are distracted.
Don’t ride distracted
It’s not just drivers who pose a threat when texting and driving, but also cyclists. Put the phone down and wait until you get to your destination to use it. Even talking on a Bluetooth while riding is a bad idea as you aren’t giving your full attention to the road. Likewise, listening to music with headphones. You need to be alert and aware of what is happening around you.
Featured Image by Melk Hagelslag from Pixabay
