You’ve come to realize that commuting to and from work on your bicycle is advantageous for a variety of reasons. From saving money on gas to avoiding rush hour traffic jams, there is no shortage of benefits of bicycle commuting.
No matter how much you enjoy commuting on your bicycle, there’s never a good time to put your safety on the back burner. It’s critical that you take steps to avoid trouble on the road, such as the following:
- Make eye contact with drivers: When you do this, there’s no gray area about whether the driver knows you are there. This will enhance your safety, while giving you some peace of mind.
- Watch for opening doors: Once a person parks their vehicle, they’re likely to open their door at some point. If they do this without checking their mirror, it could put you in a compromising position. Your only options are stopping, swerving out of the way or hitting the door head on. Unfortunately, there are times when you’re left with no option but to strike the door.
- Beware of turning vehicles: Many bicycle-car accidents occur at an intersection where a driver is turning. If they don’t see you driving through the intersection, they could sideswipe you when making the turn.
- Understand that pedestrians are dangerous, too: For example, if a jogger darts in front of your bicycle, it could cause you to swerve into traffic or strike them directly.
- Use the bicycle lane when available: Any time you have access to a bicycle lane, you should spend your time here. Since vehicles are not permitted, it’s the safest place on the road. If there is no bicycle lane, join the flow of traffic as opposing to riding on the shoulder or sidewalk.
If you’re injured in a bicycle-car accident, don’t attempt to ride away from the scene. Move to safety, call 911 and administer first aid to the best of your ability.
Once you’re transported to a local hospital, you’ll receive treatment and learn more about your injuries. This will eventually lead you to contact your insurance company, collect evidence pertaining to the accident and seek compensation from the negligent party.