In a survey conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), more than 500,000 Americans are treated for bicycle-related injuries in hospitals and more than 700 people die because of it.
Meanwhile, the CDCP’s survey also showed that children age 15 years and below accounted for nearly 60 percent of bicycle-related accidents in the United States.
Safety Practice to Avoid Accidents
According to Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), people can avoid bicycle accidents if they will follow this safety practice:
1. Check if the breaks, tires, and gears are working properly. There are bicycle dealers which check the condition of every essential part of the bike to make sure that people will have a safe ride.
2. Wear safety gear. The helmet is the most important safety gear a person should wear when riding a bike. It is important for riders to make sure that they wear the right size and design that fits snugly.
Other important safety gears are special clothing, elbow and knee pads, and gloves.
3. Make sure the bikes have front and rear lights/reflectors. These are very important for people especially when they are riding during the night as these will serve as signals for other motorists.
4. Ride bicycles in safe places, especially for beginners. People should practice riding in a bicycle in safe places like an empty parking lot, playground, and empty street. For beginners, avoid the main road where there are many speeding cars and trucks.
5. Follow traffic rules. Traffic rules are there to make the road safe for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.
6. Don’t use the sidewalk. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, not for cyclists. In some cases, riders use the sidewalk and counter-flow the traffic thinking that this is safer than the main road. But according to PBIC, this is even more dangerous and can result to head-on collision since motorists (especially motorbike riders) use this when they are stuck in a heavy traffic.
7. When crossing a pedestrian lane, don’t ride the bike. Get off the bike and push this when crossing in a pedestrian lane. This will avoid bumping other people who are crossing the street.
Meanwhile, riders who crossed the pedestrian lane and were hit by a car will be considered “at fault”.
8. Don’t use mobile phones, headphones, and music players when riding a bike. These things will lessen the rider’s response and focus on the road.
9. Be extra careful when crossing the intersection as this is one of the most common places where bicycle accidents happen.
According to statistics, getting hit from behind is uncommon in bicycle-related accidents.
Motorist’s Responsibility
Los Angeles bicycle accidents can also be avoided if motorists will follow these safety tips.
1. Follow the speed limitation. This basic traffic rule will not only make traveling for motorists safer on their part, but also keeps cyclists and pedestrians away from harm.
2. Give extra time for cyclists to cross the intersection and give them enough space to maneuver.
3. Pass riders with care. Don’t tailgate and reduce the speed when passing a cyclist.
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