Bicycle Safety Tips

Bicycle Safety Tips

Depending on your location in the state of Georgia, bike riding can be an activity that you enjoy for a majority of the year. In the metro Atlanta area, we generally have pleasant weather outdoors for 7-9 months out of the year. Bike riding can be an activity for the whole family to enjoy together. Even my young kids enjoy bike riding with the rest of the family.

Although bike riding is a great outdoor activity, it does come with risks. Safety should be your top priority when bike riding, as bicycle accidents can be very common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012 726 bicyclists were killed and 40,000 were injured in the United States.
Here are some safety tips that should be followed when bike riding to help keep you and your family safe:
  • Avoid the sidewalk- While it may seem safer to ride your bike on the sidewalk, it can actually be more dangerous. On the sidewalk you have the risk of running into pedestrians and pedestrians with dogs. You also may encounter a car parked in a driveway that’s obstructing your path, or a car turning into a driveway may not see you riding down the sidewalk.
  • Make sure you’re visible- Wearing brightly colored, reflective clothing will help you stand out from anything around you. Also, wearing a headlight will help you be seen easier by drivers on the road.
  • Ride on the right side of the road- Make sure you’re riding with the flow of traffic, as this greatly reduces your risk of injury. By riding towards oncoming traffic, drivers have less time to react if they have drifted into your bike lane.

Biking is a great outdoor family activity, but it does come with risks. Make sure you are riding your bike defensively, and don’t ever assume the driver of a car sees you. Following these bicycle safety tips can greatly reduce the risk of injury for you and your family.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, make sure to give Kyle a call at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.