Warmer Weather, More Bikes: Sharing the Road Safely

New England weather can be unpredictable, but spring always comes after winter, so you can be sure that we’re pretty close to being able to inflate our two wheel vehicles and get out on the streets for a bicycle ride. If you’re thinking you want to get an early start on the season you are going to want to make sure you are clear on some safety tips that will help you avoid a New Haven bicycle accident this coming spring. You can take some steps to make sure your ride is safe and free from incident and you are able to enjoy the beautiful scenery that our great city has to offer.

It really takes two to tango though when it comes to bike safety. Certainly you, as the bike rider, bear a lot of the responsibility for your own safety, this goes without saying. The other part of that safety duo are the drivers behind the wheel of New Haven’s cars and trucks. It is important that everyone who is using our roads be on high alert for each other so that the safety of all is protected and no one gets hurt unnecessarily.

Before you hop on your bike to ride make sure you take care of some spring maintenance on your bike. You will want to make sure your brakes are functioning properly. Depending on how you stored the bike over the winter months your brakes can get jostled and if that’s the case they may not be functioning as you might expect them to. Before you head out for your first ride you will want to check that your brakes are functioning well. You will also want to make sure you have inflated your tires properly. Just like driving in a motor vehicle, the tires on a bicycle can deflate with the changes in temperature. You will want to make sure that you are taking the proper steps to keep your tires inflated for your own safety. Finally, you will want to make sure your helmet fits properly. A fall from a bicycle can be devastating if you do not have a properly fitting helmet. Make sure yours fits well and will stay fastened in the event of a crash.

Once you’re ready to hit the road you will want to take some safety tips into consideration. Look through this list and make sure you are noting all that apply to you so you can ride safely this spring and into the summer months;

Be Seen, Be Bright: With more cars on the road and potentially still some overcast days, make yourself highly visible. Wear brightly colored clothing (fluorescent yellows, oranges, and greens are great), even during the day. Use reflective tape on your clothing, helmet, and bike. Ensure your bike has working front (white) and rear (red) lights, especially for dawn, dusk, and cloudy conditions – Connecticut law requires lights from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise.

Mind the Road Conditions: Spring in New Haven can bring lingering effects of winter. Watch out for potholes that may have appeared or worsened during the freeze-thaw cycle. Be cautious of loose gravel and debris left over from winter road maintenance. Pay attention to wet roads from spring showers, which can reduce traction.

Signal Clearly and Predictably: Communicate your intentions to drivers and pedestrians well in advance. Use clear and consistent hand signals for turns and stops. Ride in a straight line and avoid sudden swerving. Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible to ensure they see you.

If you do the proper maintenance on your bicycle before you hit the road and then you follow some of these great tips for while you’re riding it will go a long way in reducing your risks of getting into a New Haven bicycle accident. While none of these things will guarantee you will not get injured or in an accident, they are definitely the steps you should take to minimize your risks. When you’re getting back into the swing of things with riding your bike these are good reminders for you to make sure you don’t make any careless mistakes when you hit the road this spring.

Regardless of what actions you take, accidents do happen and when they do you may need to seek the experienced advice of an attorney. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.