Save Some Mettle For The Pedal With These Bike Safety Tips
Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) July 17, 2013 -- July and August typically bring cyclists out in greater numbers due to rising temperatures throughout Washington. This environmentally friendly way to get to work or exercise is favored by many citizens of the Pacific Northwest.
But when cyclists head out on the road at greater levels, the number of collisions with vehicle operators also tends to rise. Inattentiveness of drivers combined with recklessness of some cyclists can create a perfect storm with deadly repercussions.
Each summer, the Seattle car accident lawyers of the Bernard Law Group are able to identify a notable increase in the number of injured parties seeking representation following a vehicle-on-bike collision. Kirk Bernard hopes to see an end to these disappointing accidents.
“Every July, like clockwork, we begin to receive phone calls from persons injured while on their bikes,” said Mr. Bernard from his Seattle office. “Sometimes the error lies with the driver of a vehicle, sometimes it’s with a cyclist, and other times it can be attributed to something else entirely. Whatever the case, we think it’s time to break the habit and do whatever possible to ensure bike accidents drop precipitously this year.”
To accomplish this, the Bernard Law Group is offering a series of safety tips to cyclists.
•Wearing the Proper Attire- Clothing should be tight enough that there’s no chance it’s going to be snagged on pedals or tire spokes. Such attire must be light in color so that drivers and pedestrians are able to distinguish between the cyclist and his or her surroundings.
•Helmet Usage- This is the single most important piece of equipment that a cyclist can wear, and yet far too many bike riders ignore this vital gear. Helmets should fit properly and be in sufficient condition so as to prevent a concussion or similar head injury in the event of a crash.
One interesting wrinkle in helmet usage is the proliferation of bike sharing programs. Washington State offers such a program, but one persistent problem with these types of systems has been getting riders who don’t own their own bike to invest in a helmet. Bike owners and renters alike need to realize that wearing a helmet is an investment in safety. The price of a helmet purchase is minor when compared to the medical costs accumulated in the wake of a debilitating head injury caused by a vehicle collision.
•Avoid Sidewalks- Cyclists are to obey the same rules of the road as automobile drivers. One would (hopefully) never see a car drive up onto the sidewalk just to get around traffic, and so it goes with bikes. Cyclists have a right to the road, while the sidewalk should remain the sole purview of pedestrians.
•Alleviate Dooring Risks- Inattentive occupants might fling a door open without checking for a cyclist in their mirrors, and thus cyclists which have noticed a car come to a halt up ahead would be wise to give that vehicle a wide berth.
Unfortunately, dooring injuries are somewhat commonplace because many cyclists will ride as far to the right of the lane as possible. It should be noted that the law doesn’t require this. If a cyclist feels more comfortable in the center of the lane, they have every right to do so as long as they travel with traffic and the road itself permits bike travel.
•Eliminating Distraction- It’s a good idea for cyclists to have a cellphone on their person at all times so that they can get in touch with rescue officials or an emergency contact should an accident take place. However, that phone should be stowed when riding so that the cyclist can focus all of his or her attention on the environment. This is the same reason headphones are a bad idea.
Kirk Bernard has been protecting the rights of Washington personal injury victims for 30 years, achieving landmark court victories and settlements in the process. The Bernard Law Group provides legal representation for those injured in bicycle collisions, workplace accidents, medical malpractice situations, defective drug incidents, product liability cases, and more. Persons interested in a free consultation can click here to view their website.
Megan Castello, The Bernard Law Group, http://bernardlawgroup.com, 206-298-9900, [email protected]
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