As a cyclist, you want to do everything you can to stay safe. You know that it is you who is likely to suffer serious injuries if you get involved in an accident with a vehicle – the driver will probably be fine. Avoiding that accident is your number one goal when you ride.
But how do you go about doing this? Below are some key tips to keep in mind.
Make yourself visible
Often, drivers say they never saw cyclists before hitting them. Increasing your visibility by using strobe lights, reflective tape or high-visibility clothing is a good idea. This is especially true if you’re going to be riding in sub-optimal lighting conditions.
Ride with traffic and in the road
Another thing to remember is that you need to treat your bike as if it is a motor vehicle. You are supposed to ride with traffic, in the same direction that the cars are moving. Runners and walkers may move against traffic, but cyclists should not. Additionally, you should refrain from riding on the sidewalk and ride on the road, where drivers expect you to be. Riding on the sidewalk feels safer, but is actually more dangerous.
Avoid the distractions
Finally, don’t get distracted when you’re riding. Many people like to put on a pair of headphones so that they can make phone calls, listen to music or listen to audiobooks. But these are distractions that pull your attention away from the traffic around you.
Unfortunately, even if you perfectly follow those tips and ride safely, you could still be injured by a negligent driver. You need to know if you can seek compensation for medical bills and related costs.