Avoid Your Next Crash With These Bicycle Safety Tips

It won’t be long until the snow starts to melt and the grass begins to peek out from under the slush. As soon as the weather gets nice, it’s natural to want to get outside more often. This could mean going hiking, enjoying a long walk or sitting outside to read a book. For many, this means getting the bike out of storage and taking your wheels to the road.

Going for a bike ride is great for your health — it helps to build muscle and bone density, grows your endurance, gives your heart an aerobic workout and helps you to gain better balance. Though biking is a great hobby, it can be a dangerous one too. Riders can easily become the victims of crashes, and if that happens, it’s far more likely that the bicyclist will receive worse injuries than the driver of a car. In 2016 alone, 840 bicyclists were killed in car-involved crashes.

We want to help you avoid a crash when you’re on the road. Follow these bicycle safety tips to make your next trip safer.

How can I stay safe while biking?  

Before you go out for your next trip, check out some of these safety tips:

  • Get the right bike. At its very base, your bike should do two things: fit you properly and maneuver itself properly. You don’t want a bike that’s too big or too small, as this may make it harder to handle when on the road. Make sure your bike’s tires are properly inflated, and when your bike is at its full height, check that you don’t struggle to get on or off of it.
  • Don’t bike recklessly. You should treat riding a bike the same as you would treat driving a car. Always pay heed to traffic laws, like looking both ways and stopping at stop signs. Don’t bike recklessly either — predictable movements help drivers understand where you’re going, limiting your risk of being hit. While biking, avoid distractions like listening to music and using your phone so that your eyes are on the road at all times.
  • Come with the right equipment. Never go biking without a helmet that fits you. Wearing a helmet has been proven to reduce your risk of head injury by 60% and your risk of brain injury by 58%. Aside from a helmet, you should also have a horn or bell or warn others of your presence, along with a rear view mirror and headlight.

What do I do after a bike crash?

Sometimes, even if you’re the safest biker out there, you can still be victim to a crash. If you find yourself in that unfortunate circumstance, follow these steps:

  • Call the police and make a report. Even if you think the crash was minor, it’s better to cover your bases. Take note of all of the details of the wreck and contact the police as soon as possible. Don’t move your bike from the scene so that you have proof of how it landed. If there are any witnesses on scene, get their contact information and pass that along to the police.
  • Go see a doctor. You may not have any injuries at that moment, but it’s possible that issues could arise over time. By getting medical attention as soon as possible, you can help create a paper trail to better prove your case. As time passes, keep track of any new symptoms that appear after your wreck and discuss them with your doctor as soon as possible.
  • Talk to a lawyer. When the insurance company contacts you, don’t give any details about your case. If you forget to mention a detail, this could be used against you in court. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit possible. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of your accident or give you less than you deserve.

Have you been injured while riding your bike?

Contact Tolbert Beadle. We know how to get you the settlement you deserve, regardless of what the insurance company is trying to tell you.