In recent years the number of accidents involving cars hitting cyclists has gone up considerably. More than 700 cyclists are killed in accidents involving cars annually. While there is no way to eliminate the risk of an accident when you’re cycling make sure that you and your bike are as visible to drivers as possible is a good way to lower the risk of being involved in a serious or fatal car accident. Following are some tried and true ways for cyclists to stay visible when they are riding.
Wear Neon Colors
Neon colors were popular with everyone in the 80s, but they’re still a popular choice for cyclists because they can make you much more visible when you’re a bike at night. Invest in some high-quality performance wear for cycling that has neon patches or stripes that will light up when car lights hit them. That will increase your visibility and keep you safer when you’re cycling.
Install Lights On Your Bike
Another way to boost your visibility is to have front and rear lights put on your bike if your bike doesn’t have them already. The front and rear light will function like the lights on a car to make your bike more visible to drivers around you. A front light will also make it easier for you to see the road ahead of you and avoid broken pavement or obstructions.
Get A Safety Vest
Every cyclist should have a safety vest. Actually, you should have more than one. You should keep one in your saddlebag, one with your bike, and one in the car or at work so that you always have one nearby when you want to go for a ride. Safety vests are inexpensive lightweight vests made from reflective material that will light up brightly when lights hit them. Safety vests are easy to wear, don’t add bulk, and can be worn over any type of clothing. They’re great for visibility and so inexpensive that you can afford to have several of them.
Ride During The Day
If you like to ride after work to relax this might not be something that you really want to do, but statistically riding during the day when there’s more light means that you’re less likely to be in an accident. Be flexible with your ride times and if there’s a lot of traffic on your usual ride route you should think about switching to a daytime ride to be safer.
Ride In A Group
Another way to boost your visibility and lower the risk of an accident is to ride in a group with friends. A driver may not see one cyclist that is riding next to the car but they will not be able to avoid multiple cyclists. It doesn’t have to be a big group of bikers to increase visibility and safety. If you can get a couple of friends to ride at lunchtime or after work with you that will help you stay visible and stay safer when you’re cycling.
This article was provided by www.personalinjury-law.com, an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only. Be sure to review your local cycling ordinances to ensure you ride safe and legally.
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