Whether you are commuting to work or riding along one of our great biking trails like the Hefner-Overholser in Oklahoma City, it is important that you exercise great care. An accident can occur at any time and the results are often tragic. Here are a few bicycle accident prevent tips to help you stay safe.
- Check your bike before you ride. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and your brakes are in working order.
- Get a headlight. Under Oklahoma Law, riders must equip their bikes with a headlamp and rear red reflector when riding at night. This will increase your visibility.
- Use hand signals. Alert other drivers by using hand signals. Using your left arm, point up when turning right, left when turning left, and down when slowing down.
- Know what part of the lane to ride in. When there are no cars parked along the street, you should ride to the far right side of the lane. When, however, there are cars parked, ride more to the left so that you can avoid car doors that may suddenly open.
- Ride with traffic. Pedestrians are required to walk against traffic when no sidewalks are available but all bicyclists must ride with traffic.
- Avoid blind spots. It is important to avoid riding along the side of cars for too long. Drivers may fail to notice you before changing lanes or turning.
- Ride defensively. Never assume that drivers will yield the right-of-way. Try to make eye contact and only enter intersections when it is safe to do so.
- Always obey traffic control devices. You have the same right-of-way privileges as drivers, but you are also subject to the same rules of the road as others. You must stop at red lights and stop signs.
- Do not tailgate. Always leave yourself enough time to avoid a rear end collision in the event of an emergency situation.
- Choose your routes carefully. Choose well-lit routes with wide shoulders and bike lanes.
- Limit your distractions. If you choose to ride with headphones, make sure the volume is not so loud that you can’t hear traffic.
If you are involved in an accident, please be sure to explore your legal rights and options. Financial compensation may be available for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. An experienced Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer will be able to assess your situation and help you obtain maximum compensation for your losses.
