Old Lyme Bicycle Accident Shines Light On Safety For Aging Cyclists

The old adage that something is “just like riding a bike,” which indicates that once you know how to ride a bike you never have to learn again has been proven time and time again. That doesn’t mean, however, that once you know how to ride a bike you don’t need some simple safety reminders as you ride in your older age. Bicycle safety is something that all riders should refresh themselves on each year when they continue to ride.

A recent bicycle accident in Old Lyme that involved a 75-year old cyclist is a good reminder that we all, no matter how old we are, could use a brush up on our safety when riding a bicycle, a motorcycle or when we’re behind the wheel of a car or truck. This accident left both the motorcyclist and the bicyclist injured to the point where they needed to be brought to area hospitals to address their injuries. This wasn’t a small accident and so there are some things we can take from it that can hopefully help all of us as we share the road together.

1.) Whether on a bicycle or a motorcycle you should always wear a helmet. While there isn’t a helmet law for those riders over the age of 16 years-old in Connecticut, it is a best practice to keep yourself and others on the road safe while you’re riding either a motorcycle or a bicycle. Some may argue that wearing a helmet is uncomfortable or unnecessary, but the truth is that the best thing you can do for your safety when riding a two-wheel vehicle is to wear a helmet.

2.) Make sure your eyesight has been checked recently and it is confirmed by your doctor that you are OK to ride a bicycle with your vision at the state at which it is. As you get older your eyesight begins to slowly deteriorate and if you don’t take this seriously you could be put in a situation where you cannot see clearly and this will affect your ability to ride your bicycle safely. It’s dangerous to drive any vehicle, especially when you are sharing the road with others, when your eyesight is failing. If you visit with your eye doctor and she/he clears you to ride your bicycle then you should be good to go.

3.) Avoid busy streets and intersections while on your bicycle. If you are riding your bicycle for transportation you may need to re-route yourself around busy intersections or streets so you can stay as safe as possible. If you are riding your bicycle for recreation then you may want to avoid times of the day that are generally busier then others so you can avoid having to dodge traffic as you ride. The time of day that is the safest for you may vary, but you should get a feel for it and avoid those times of days so you can ride with peace of mind.

Whether you’re just starting out riding a bicycle or you’ve been riding for years, if you don’t spend time thinking about riding safely you could put yourself in a situation where you are involved in a New Haven bicycle accident and can get hurt. Living in a busy city like New Haven it is incredibly important that you take bicycle safety seriously and work to put yourself in a good situation so you don’t get hurt and you can ride your bike freely.

If you do get injured you may need to speak with an attorney who has handled situations like yours in the past. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.