As a bicyclist, sharing the road with cars and other motor vehicles can be dangerous, and you are largely unprotected in the event of a crash. The following bike safety tips will make you a more responsible driver, and ultimately a safer one:
- Ride in a straight line. Weaving in and out of traffic increases your risk of being hit by a car. Be a predictable driver, and obey traffic signs and laws.
- Watch for car doors. Always try to leave room in case a door opens unexpectedly. The general rule is to maintain a three-foot gap between you and a parked car.
- Always look and signal before turning. Before turning or changing lanes, be sure to signal and to make eye contact with the driver in your immediate vicinity. Just because you see a driver does not guarantee that he sees you, so always make sure your intentions are known before taking action.
- Stay focused. Keep music players and cell phones in your bag while riding to prevent distraction and potential collisions. Letting your mind wander from the road demonstrates poor Wisconsin bike safety.
- Protect your head. The most important safety gear a bicyclist can wear is a helmet. Helmets have been proven to decrease the chance of a head injury should an accident happen.
- Be visible. During the day, keep your clothing brightly colored and clearly visible to drivers. When it’s dark, use reflective clothing and bright lights.
As a Wisconsin bicyclist, you will be sharing the road with motor vehicles. Car and truck drivers sometimes tend to overlook bikes, with tragic consequences. Because you are unprotected and vulnerable in any collision, you need to exercise extra caution in traffic.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle, the Wisconsin personal injury attorneys at Hupy and Abraham want to help you. Contact us at 800-800-5678 (toll-free) or 414-223-4800 (local) to schedule a FREE consultation. We'd be pleased to send you a copy of our book, The Ultimate Guide For Automobile Accident Victims; it's FREE just for your asking, even if you don't choose us to represent you.