Bike accidents can happen at any time. Whether you’re on a designated bike trail, on the road, or on sidewalks, there is always risk of accidents. If you are prepared, aware, and following the laws, you are taking measures to avoid accidents. But there are some more steps you can take to help prevent accidents.
If you are riding on designated bike trails there are six ways to be more safe.
1. Know the Trail
Before you go riding, look up information on your trail. Be aware of difficult portions, trail conditions, or potential hazards. You can avoid more injuries if you stick to trails that are your skill level.
2. Wear Proper Gear
When you are getting ready to bike, you should wear bright and reflective clothing. This will help you be seen on the trails. Also wearing a properly fitted helmet, gloves, and padded shorts, you will be less injured in an accident.
3. Maintain Your Bike
Checking your bike’s tire pressure, brakes, and chain before a ride could reduce risks. If you know your bike won’t fail on the ride, you can ride along the trails more confidently. You can also change your chain’s suspension depending on the trail to help with smoother rides. There are some bike locations that will check your bike for you to make sure it is okay to ride, especially if it has been a while if you have gone out.
4. Ride With Control
Keep driving at a controlled speed, especially while on more treacherous and unfamiliar sections of the trail. If you are going faster, maintain a good posture and position on the bike to ensure balance.
5. Stay Aware
On the trail, watch for loose rocks, sudden drops, or mud. Also, if there are others on the trail, make sure that you leave them room to ride by and announce your presence if you are the one passing. You should not ride with distractions like headphones or anything that would distract you from wildlife or other riders on the road.
6. Ride in Groups or With a Friend
If you are in a bigger group, then you are more visible to others on the trail. It can even help ward off animals in larger groups. In big groups you can also carry more gear, like first aid kits, water, and a phone. Those in your group can help you if you get injured or need assistance to get off the trail.
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 966 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents in 2021. It is so important to stay safe while on the road. If you are riding on a road, we have five more steps to prevent an accident.
1. Enhance Visibility
Continue to always wear bright and reflective clothing. You want the cars around you to see in at all times, and reflective clothing helps immensely. You can also add reflective tape and spoke reflectors to your bike. This will be especially important at night or at low light times.
2. Follow Traffic Rules
If you are on the road, you have to obey all traffic laws, as if you were a car. This includes stop signs, stop lights, and four way stop rules. You also need to always signal your turns and lane changes. If an accident does happen because you were not following traffic laws, you will be the one at fault.
3. Choose Safe Routes
Pick your biking routes with roads that have bike lanes or lighter traffic. Also, you should avoid roads with high speed traffic or many trucks around. This will help you avoid serious injuries in the case of an accident.
4. Stay Vigilant
While you are riding on the road, watch for others and stay vigilant. It’s important to watch other drivers, opening doors, or merging vehicles. Stay out of a driver’s blind spot too. They will most likely not be able to see you. Most collisions happen in intersections, so be careful in those spots especially.
5. Use Defensive Rising Techniques
Keep a safe distance from cars that are parked, about three feet, so you don’t get hit by opening doors. Try not to weave through traffic, and instead drive in a straight line. You should also make sure that you avoid any potholes, debris, wet surfaces, or other road hazards.
Before heading out for a ride, be aware of the weather, improve your skills, and carry your communication devices.
Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks Can Help
Bike accidents can leave cyclists with lasting injuries, medical bills, and other trauma. If you’ve been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, call the personal injury experts at Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks right away.
We are located in Northern Utah and have represented clients for over 25 years. We’re experts at what we do, so you can trust us to take care of your personal injury case. Contact us today to set up a free case evaluation to see how our services can help you.
