The Beginner’s Guide to Cycling Road Safety Tips
Riding a bicycle on shared roads can be dangerous, especially if you are a beginner. Because bicycles are lightweight, even a minor cycling accident can lead to serious injuries. While avoiding a collision with another cyclist or driver is not always in your control, there are simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a bike accident victim. Before you start riding your new bicycle out on the road, take a minute to learn the rules you need to know to ride safely.
- Avoid difficult roads. When you are just starting out, practice on roads that do not get a lot of traffic until you get the hang of sharing space with other vehicles.
- Wear safety gear. Most states have strict bike helmet rules, but you should always wear one regardless of what your local laws say to protect yourself from potentially life-threatening injuries. Since you are still a beginner, you might also want to wear elbows and knee pads to protect your body from an accidental fall.
- Follow the rules. Ignoring traffic laws can be tempting when you do not see any other traffic near you, but you never know if you are missing a vehicle in your blind spot or if one is about to turn into your lane from another road. Getting to your destination quicker is not a good reason to put your life and the lives of others in jeopardy.
- Pay attention. Listening to your environment and keeping your eyes on the road can help you react quickly to unusual situations.
- Avoid taking your bicycle out at night until you are used to riding on shared roads. Cycling in the dark is challenging, so you should wait until you are completely confident in your cycling skills before you attempt it. When you are ready, start with side roads and remember to use bicycle lights.
Unfortunately, being careful does not guarantee that you will never have a bike accident. If you sustain serious cycling accident injuries as a result of another driver’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. To speak with an experienced Dallas bike accident attorney about your case, call the Cyclist at Law office at 800-877-6188.