Commuting by bicycle has increased by 61% over the past two decades.  Unfortunately, not all roadways are safe for biking.  May was established in 1956 as National Bike Safety Month.  Part of the objective of National Bike Safety Month is to increase and improve awareness of drivers and cyclists who are sharing the roadways.  

AAA in their latest Traveler newsletter offers these safety tips for cycling:

1. Wear your helmet.  It will reduce your risk of serious accident by as much as 85%

2. Keep your head up and look ahead.  You need to see what is coming at you so you have time to react.

3. Only one person should ride on each bike:  riding with unsecured passengers puts you at risk for injury to yourself and others

4. Ride single file with space between the bikes

5. Plan if you will be riding in a group:  agree on the route ahead of time and have a plan as to what to do if separated by traffic

6. Be aware of local laws and rules if you will be riding in an unfamiliar area

7. Avoid busy roads and peak traffic times on your selected route

8. Before riding at night, ask someone to help you judge your visibility

9. Maintain the bikes in your household-especially the brakes

10. Do not wear headphones while riding

11. Keep both hands on the handlebars (except when signaling) and both feet on the pedals

12. Wear a brightly colored helmet and retro-reflective material on your clothing

13. Before entering the roadway stop, look left, look right and then look left again-

If you are in a bike accident, try to get photos of the scene, the cause of the accident (a car, a dog running in the street) if you are not too injured to do so.  Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you figure out how to get your medical bills paid and your bike repaired or replaced.  At Worthington Law Group, we have spent three decades helping people like you.

Call Sandra Worthington, Esq. at 215-576-5150 for a no-obligation review of your case.