Should You Ride Your Bike When It’s Raining Out?

There are so many reasons to ride your bike this time of year as the weather has cooled down and the leaves are gorgeous to see, but there are also a few things this time of year that make it a little more likely that you will get into a New Haven bicycle accident then you might have been more likely to have done in the summer months.  The weather is much less predictable as the temperatures drop and there is a greater likelihood of a gray or stormy day.  That is why it is so important to have a plan about riding in the rain, that is if you’re brave enough to hop on two wheels when the rain is pouring down.

Rain presents some unique safety challenges for anyone who is riding a bike during a storm.  One important one that should keep you off the road entirely is lightning.  If there is a storm and lightning is a part of you, you should skip the bike ride for the day.  However, if there is no lightning happening then you can take some steps that will make it safe for you to ride even on wet roads.  If you follow these steps then you can arrive at your destination safely, even if you are soaking wet.

1.) Wear brightly colored clothes or reflective clothing:  It can be harder for you to be seen if you are riding your bike on a rainy day then on a sunny one.  While brightly colored clothes or reflective clothing are actually good to wear no matter the weather, they are especially important when it is raining out.  It is harder for on-coming traffic to see you through the raindrops then it would be on a dry day, so making yourself as visible as possible is the best thing you can do to stay safe when you are riding in the rain.

2.) In the vein of staying visible, if you’re planning on riding in the rain you should consider installing a taillight and a headlight on your bike so you can be seen more easily by on-coming traffic.  Making yourself and your bike stand out will allow you to race through the rain and still be seen by the traffic.  This simple addition to your bike will make it so that you are seen as a moving vehicle by all cars on the road and it should keep you safer.

3.) Before you head out, do a check-up on your bike.  Make sure the tires are pumped up and not leaking.  Make sure your chain is lubed up and ready to ride smoothly.  Make sure all of your gear is securely fashioned to your bike.  If you have to pull off the road due to a mechanical malfunction on your bike that could have been avoided by taking some preventative steps you are putting yourself at a greater risk of injury.

Some people will never go out in the rain on their bikes because they don’t like to get wet, but if you’re the type that loves riding and don’t care about getting wet, you may be on your way to having an open road with the rain in your face.  If you take these safety precautions before you’re riding you will be able to avoid a New Haven bicycle accident in most cases.  If you don’t take these steps the chances of getting injured increase greatly.

When you’re on the road on your bike and it is raining out, you may not be thinking about needing an attorney, but if you get injured you just may need someone who has experience with your type of situation.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your case and work with you to protect your long-term interests.