Safety Tips for Those Looking to Start Bicycle Commuting
Bicycling is a great way to stay fit and healthy and a good way to reduce your carbon footprint. Many countries in the world today are bike-friendly, and their populations have adapted to rely on their bikes as their primary means of transportation. With electric bicycles charged by peddling becoming more popular, hilly areas will soon be populated with bicycles.
Cities are changing to make biking a safer option for commuters, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot be lax when it comes to your safety. These safety tips will help you get to your destination faster and more safely.
What To Do If You Were in an Accident
Though bike lanes are becoming more prevalent, and many cities are set to adapt to bicycles as a primary form of transportation, many streets aren’t yet up to par. Sharing the road with cars is always dangerous, and reckless drivers coupled with a split-second accident on your part can end in disaster. Following the rest of the safety tips in this guide is a good way to prevent an accident, but it is important to know what to do if you have been in an accident.
If you do not require emergency medical care, then taking pictures of the scene and exchanging insurance and personal details with the driver is your first order of business. You may even want to call for a police officer to create an incident report of the crime. After that, get in touch with Kreeger Law Firm, who can help assess your case and represent you to ensure you get the full compensation necessary to cover all your medical, personal injury, and pain and suffering costs.
Refresh with a Bicycling Course
Before you head out on the road, you should take a short online bicycling course. This course doesn’t teach you how to bike but rather works to refresh the rules of the road and gives you many tips on how to bike safely when sharing the road with vehicles. Using hand signals is a must, for example, knowing which direction to bike in, how to watch out for blind spots, and more.
Start Bicycle Commuting: Invest in Proper Gear
Being visible is one of the most important things to avoid accidents. Having high-viz clothing or attachable armbands can help when you bike after dark. You can even attach a light to your bike that will shine a light on the ground in front of you, making you and the direction you are going more visible. Helmets are also a must, and that’s just the start. There are many innovative safety gear options for you to invest in.
Practice Your Route
There are always going to be multiple ways to get to your work or destination. Though the direct route might be technically the fastest, if there is an option that takes back roads instead, this will be less stressful and far safer. Know your route ahead of time, and consider getting a phone attachment so you can easily adapt your GPS on the go.
Bicycling is great for the environment and great for your health. Follow these safety tips, and you can get started on the road and bike with confidence.
