Riding a bicycle can be very dangerous. There are many threats to your safety when you ride your bike, so it is important to use extra precautions every time you go out on the road. The major threats to cyclists are other motorists, or in many cases not other motorists but just inattentive drivers. It is very important for cyclists to be aware of their surroundings and for motorists to be aware of bicycles on the road.
Tips To Help You Ride Your Bicycle Safely
Make Sure Your Bicycle is in Good Working Order
Your bike has to be sturdy, but it also has to work. If you have problems with the brakes, gears, or tires, then take it into a shop for repairs or adjustments before going on a ride. If you want to make sure everything is safe and sound, bring your bike in every six months for regular tune-ups. This will help prevent any major issues from arising when you need to use your bike the most. Unfortunately, even with a good working bicycle, an accident can happen. That’s why it is useful to get legal help from professional lawyers like the ones at https://bestbicycleaccidentlawyer.com/ who specialize in bicycle accidents. They will be familiar with the laws that cover bicycle accidents and will work to get you what you deserve.
Be Visible To Other Vehicles On The Road
No matter whether you are riding during the day or night, you always want to be as visible as possible to other vehicles on the road. Cyclists should ride with lights and reflectors during the day and at night. If you have a lot of gear on your bikes, such as a child seat or panniers, then you must get a bright safety flag so motorists can see you from a distance. You also want to wear brightly colored clothes, so cars have an easier time seeing you when they are approaching from behind. Pro tip: try not wearing black at all times
Adhere To The Bicycle Safety Laws
There are certain bicycle safety laws that all states have adopted. If you’re caught breaking any of these laws, you will be fined and possibly jailed. These laws protect the cyclists and help protect motorists because it makes them aware of what cyclists can do in specific circumstances. What makes these laws look bad is when cyclists go straight through stop signs because they think it saves them time or when cyclists ride at night without lights. After all, they don’t want their “pretty” bike to get stolen from their front porch. These things may seem like small problems that only affect those who witness them, but if everybody were doing these things, roads would be much more dangerous for everyone involved.
Never Assume That Drivers Can See You
This is probably one of the most important “laws” to follow when cycling because it can save your life. So often, cyclists assume that other drivers have seen them, but if they haven’t made eye contact with you, there is no way to know that you are there. If they start pulling out in front of you without looking or signaling where they are going, you will never be able to stop in time to avoid hitting them, which would mean serious injury. Also, make sure cars aren’t turning left/right at intersections where you plan on passing through because their turn signals don’t always work. Some people might not even bother using them (it’s illegal not to use turn signals whether you’re driving a bicycle).
Cross At 90 Degrees, Not Diagonally
When cycling, it is important to make yourself as visible as possible. When crossing busy intersections, it’s best to go at a 90-degree angle rather than diagonally because pedestrians can see you better when no cars pass by them, blocking their view. And suppose the intersection is not very busy. In that case, you could always stop in the middle of it and take a break before continuing on your journey instead of waiting until you’ve reached the other side because this will give drivers more time to see you coming so they don’t accidentally run into you.
Riding a bicycle is very dangerous, but with the proper precaution. Motorists need to know all of the bicycle safety laws with the proper precautions and make sure that nobody on their road has violated any of them. Cyclists should always obey these laws and stay aware of their surroundings at all times, even when traveling through tight areas. If everybody gets involved, cyclists can hopefully feel safe out on the roads no matter where they are going and what time it is.
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