Blog

Avoid Bike Accidents by Following These Five Safety Rules for Everyone

Anyone who rides a bike regularly wants to stay as safe as they possibly can, but they do not always know how to accomplish that. Keep reading to find out five safety rules that can help reduce the number of bike accidents in California. Then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation if you are injured in a bike accident.

  1. Always Wear Your Helmet
  2. While you cannot reduce the number of actual bike accidents you are in by wearing a helmet, you can reduce your risk of traumatic brain injury by as much as 88%. Wearing a helmet also sets a good example, which means that you wearing a helmet could prevent a bike accident from becoming fatal.

  3. Know and Following Traffic Laws
  4. Bike traffic laws are not suggestions and they are not there to be aggravating: they are there to save your life. The rules and regulations in California are different than in other states and they are updated on a regular basis. Look up the most recent laws to determine how many bikes can ride in a single lane, if you can carry packages, and more.

  5. Use Hand Signals
  6. Unless you have a bike equipped with turn signals, use your arms to signal to other vehicles on the ride about what you are going to do. You should signal when you are turning right, when you are turning left, and when you are slowing down or stopping.

  7. Ride in Areas with Lower Traffic
  8. There are a few advantages to riding in areas with less traffic. First, there are simply fewer vehicles there with which you can collide. Second, with fewer vehicles around, other bike riders or drivers can more easily see you than if you are one of the dozens and dozens of people on the street. You might have to ride on a main drag to get where you’re going, but if it’s possible to ride on a bike path or other lower traffic area, do that.

  9. Be a Defensive Rider
  10. This is true no matter the type of vehicle you are operating – be defensive. Keep an eye on others you are sharing the road with. Even if you have the right of way, do not assume that other people will make the right decision. Stop, wait to make sure it is safe, and then proceed.

If you are involved in a bike accident and require the help of an experienced bike accident attorney, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for a free legal consultation.