If you’re a bicyclist, you know that you have to obey the rules of the road in order to stay safe. But there’s always a risk involved if you’re cycling near moving vehicles. There are bike safety tips that you can follow to help protect yourself in a bicycling accident (or, ideally, to prevent one altogether).
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been in a bicycle accident. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more about bike safety tips.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
Below are the 7 Bike safety tips that you should always remember in order to avoid accidents.
7 Bike Safety Tips
While we can’t always predict what others will do, you can take steps to keep yourself safe in case something goes wrong by following these bike safety tips.
- Protect your body. In the state of Arizona, this is always the first bike safety tip. You aren’t required to wear a helmet if you’re an adult. However, your risk of traumatic brain injury increases exponentially if your bare head hits something solid.
- Stay in your lane. Arizona law allows you to use the roadway to avoid potholes, loose gravel, and other dangers on the side of the road, but make sure you aren’t on a curve and you’re not putting yourself at risk if you venture into motorists’ lanes.
- Pay attention to traffic signals. Another bike safety tips as a cyclist, you’re responsible for obeying the same traffic laws that the drivers of motor vehicles must obey, so watch out for those red lights. Be especially careful crossing the street near turn-only lanes.
- Don’t wear headphones while cycling. It’s not illegal to wear headphones on your bicycle, but it’s unsafe. You may not hear horns, emergency vehicles, or even warning shouts, so it’s better to go without music in the interest of safety. One of the common bike safety tips you will know everywhere.
- Make yourself visible to drivers. Wearing reflective gear, especially at night, can save your life. Arizona law requires bicyclists to use a white headlight and a red rear reflector before sunrise and after sunset, so make sure your bike is properly equipped.
- Use hand signals. If you’re turning left, extend your left arm. If you’re turning right, put out your left arm bent upward. Most drivers will understand what you’re doing, but you should always visually check before you make any maneuvers on your bike.
- Keep your hands on the handlebars. Arizona law requires that you keep at least one hand on the handlebars while you’re riding. It is a bike safety tip that you should always bare in mind.
Because you have the same responsibilities as motorists, you have the same rights on the road that motorists enjoy. Never compromise your own safety on the road for the convenience of other drivers, and by following these bike safety tips you can avoid an accident.
Get Help Now
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries, including those from bicycle accidents in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in a bike accident, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
