If you are an environmental enthusiast, biking once in a while can be one of the many ways to help make your world a better place. Even if you don’t care about the environment, biking can be fun.
But being on the road full of vehicles often many times the size of a bike and moving at high speeds is enough to make the most confident of cyclists feel a little on edge.
Cyclist Fatality Statistics
Data shows that 843 cyclists died on American roads in 2019. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, most of these accidents involved males and occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm, coinciding with peak traffic and low visibility. Fortunately, abiding by some basic biking rules can help make your riding more enjoyable and safe irrespective of day and vehicle density on the road.
“Bicycles are vehicles, and they belong on the road, not the sidewalk,” says attorney Robert Ranco of DC Law. So if the roadway you are using doesn’t have a biking lane, you are better off on the road. Cyclists must follow the same laws as other road users when on the road.
Abide By Road Rules
Traffic rules for all road users include stopping at red lights, keeping to the right side of the road, and signaling turns. Depending on the state, there may be some additional road rules for bickers, so you may want to familiarize yourself with them before you head out cycling.
Your bike should be outfitted with lights to help when cycling in low visibility. A typical setup involves a white light in the front and a red light in the back for visibility by other road users. But it cannot hurt to go above the law demands to increase visibility by adding battery-powered lights and reflective lights on your bike frames. Also, you can don reflective clothes or a backpack while cycling at night for better visibility by other road users.
Most cities don’t prohibit riding on the sidewalk, but many discourage it. Contrary to what you may think, ridding on the sidewalk is not safer than the road. First, pedestrians have the right of way on a sidewalk. More importantly, motorists don’t pay much attention to the sidewalk. That means motorists may fail to notice you when you want to cross the road, increasing your chance of getting hit.
Avoid Intoxicated Cycling, Put On a Helmet and Be Predictable
Cycling while intoxicated is illegal in almost all states. Even where it may not be illegal, you know that drinking, balance, and sound judgments don’t go together, so you may want to keep on a bike after having drinks. As is the case with motorcyclists, wearing a helmet is the number one way of protecting yourself if you get into an accident. Some states require persons under certain ages to have a helmet on when riding, so you may want to check cycling rules in your state.
Be predictable while on the road. Predictable means keeping your lane, using the right-hand sign to indicate your intention, and following traffic flow. You will give the driver behind you a hard time keeping you safe if you are unpredictable.
It won’t hurt to be overcautious. Sometimes drivers may be carried away by the happenings on the road and may not see you, so put your guard on. If you feel overwhelmed by traffic, pull over and get composed before getting back on the road.
