May Is New Haven Bike Month – Let’s Ride

The City of New Haven is celebrating Bike Month in May and we thought we would get in on the action.  Riding a bike is a great way to get around the city, but it also presents some safety concerns.  In order to arrive at your destination without getting into a New Haven bike accident you will want to make sure that you are riding safely and taking all of the precautions you can.

We are very lucky in the city of New Haven to have a large portion of the city covered by protected bike lanes that allow riders to limit their interactions with on-coming traffic and ride safely.  Using these protected bike lanes is one of the best ways that you can keep yourself and others safe on the road during bike month and beyond.

You will also want to take the following precautions to insure a safe riding experience;

1.) Wear a helmet.  While a helmet is not mandated by law in the state of Connecticut for those riders over the age of 16 it is the best way to keep yourself safe while riding.  If you were to fall off your bike and hit your head without a helmet on you may experience a traumatic brain injury that could lead to long-term health issues.

2.) Learn hand signals so you can signal to traffic your intentions.  You can watch this quick and easy video here to learn all hand signals, they are so easy even a kid can do them.  If you don’t use hand signals you may leave traffic guessing about where your next move will be.

3.) When not riding in a protected bike lane, always ride your bike with the flow of traffic.  You should be riding on the side of the street that allows you to ride in the same direction that the traffic is riding in.  This should be done at all times when you are unable to ride in a protected bike lane.

New Haven Bike Month is one of the best month’s of the year which encourages residents young and old to get out and enjoy the city on a bike.  Not only is it good for the environment, it’s also great for your health.  You will want to make sure you’re following the above safety precautions to make sure you’re able to avoid a New Haven bike accident along the way.

If you do find yourself injured as a result of a bike accident you may need to speak with an experienced attorney who can work with you to protect your long-term interests.  Contact our office and one of our attorneys will look into the details of your case.