Bicycle Safety
As a way of saving money on gasoline and getting your daily exercise, the bicycle is an excellent way to get around. The bicycle, however, has a serious disadvantage when it comes to safety. In an accident with an automobile, bicycles are so outmatched that the outcome can be catastrophic. While there is no way to safeguard yourself against accidents completely, there are certainly some things a rider can do to avoid dangerous situations.
Important Safety Measures
First and foremost, there is the matter of safety equipment. For some time there was a stigma against wearing proper gear, but this juvenile attitude has largely been supplanted in the cycling community by one of safety consciousness. Some of the items you might wish to employ for protection include:
- Helmet
- Reflective clothing
- Elbow pads
- Knee pads
While there is much emphasis placed on using the proper attire for safe cycling, it is as important to practice safe habits while cycling, such as:
- Use bike lanes when possible
- Always signal your intent at intersections using standardized hand signals
- Ride defensively
The unfortunate fact is that, no matter how safe and responsible a rider you are, the variable you can never control for is a car driver’s actions. A bicycle can never be as visible as a car, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Contact Us
If you have been involved in a serious accident, you may need the assistance of an experienced lawyer. Call 800-242-2874 so the Waukesha bicycle accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. can help you explore your legal options.
