Bicycle Safety Tips When Sharing the Road with Automobiles

Some people depend on bicycles as their main mode of transportation, as well as leisure. Frequent cycling can also be an excellent way for a person to stay in shape. However, cyclists face an increased danger by sharing a road with cars. With an increase in the number of people using bicycles on a regular basis, there has also been a reported increase in the number of bicycle-related injuries and fatalities across the country. The statistics on bicycle accidents reflect that young people, especially males, are more likely to be the victims of an accident while riding a bicycle. Cyclists who are seriously injured in an automobile accident may face high medical costs and other financial losses. Therefore, cyclists should do all in their power to avoid getting injured on the road.

Safety Tips

There are some bicycle safety steps that a cyclist can take to try and avoid being injured while sharing the road with cars. The most important step is to ensure that the cyclist is wearing protective clothing and a helmet. The cyclist should also ensure that when riding a bicycle at night or when there is reduced visibility outside, he or she is wearing reflective clothing and using lights to stay visible to drivers. The use of bicycle lamps or lights is required by the law between sunset and sunrise in Florida. A cyclist should also get in the habit of regularly checking to make sure that all bicycle equipment is in good working order.

Florida Bicycle Laws

In Florida, cyclists are required to follow traffic laws just like the drivers in cars because bicycles are also considered vehicles. Therefore, cyclists should ensure that they are aware of the rules of the road, and that they follow them to reduce the chances of being injured. There are bicycle rules that regulate where a cyclist can ride on the road when a bicycle lane is available or not, rules prohibiting the use of headphones and similar devices, and even rules on how many people can ride on the bicycle at the same time. If the cyclist is riding on the pavement where pedestrians are walking, then the cyclist has to be more aware not to cause the pedestrians injury.

While car owners are required to have car insurance that would cover a cyclist in the event of an accident, not all drivers on the road are covered or have enough insurance to cover a cyclist’s medical costs in the event of an accident. If the cyclist has medical insurance, his insurance may cover the medical costs. The cyclist may also seek compensation directly from the driver, for medical costs and other financial losses incurred as a result of the accident.

Contact A Clearwater Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you were involved in an accident due to the negligence of the other driver, contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney for a free consultation. You may have more options other than insurance to recover for your injuries and expenses. Consult the experienced Clearwater bicycle accident attorneys at Roman & Roman, P.A.