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The standard bicycle safety guidelines orders a cyclist to wear helmets and follow the law. When in fact, wearing a helmet cannot do anything to avoid getting hit by a car. Helmets might be of help if the person got hit, but the primary goal should be to prevent a collision with a car.

No one should fall for the myth that wearing a helmet is the only key to biking safely. It is safer not to get hit, at all. That should be the top priority of an actual bicycle security.

Here are some valuable tips on how to ride your bike without getting hit by cars.

Avoid busy streets

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One of the biggest error people makes when they decide to bike, is to take the same road they used when they are driving cars. It is much better to take a different way that has slower and fewer cars.

Cyclists have a right to the road. However, that’s not a big help when they’re already injured because of an accident. If cyclists learn the routes well, they will eventually realize that in many cities, they can travel through neighborhoods to get to different places. It is better to cross a busy street rather than riding with the big vehicles, which may have careless drivers.

There should be signals in every turn

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Communication with the drivers can prevent bicycle accidents. Cyclists can let the drivers know if they’re about to move left or right or turn by signaling with their arm. But it is important to check the mirror or to look behind before raising an arm to make sure no passing car can hit it.

Installing headlights

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Headlights are just as crucial as rear lights. Modern lights usually use LED’s so that the batteries last ten times longer rather than the old headlights. It is important to have headlights especially when biking during the night to avoid bike accidents and to avoid hiring a personal injury lawyer just to get compensated. It will just be another hassle.

No phones and music players

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It is important to hear what is happening around when biking. Biking with headphones on can only raise the risk of getting hit. It is the same with talking or texting using a cell phone since it also increases the risk level. It is also much better to have both hands free from anything else but the handles in case there is a need to use the brakes abruptly.

Take the whole lane when appropriate

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Sometimes, it is much safer to take the whole lane, or at least to bike a little bit to the left because:

● Taking the path avoid vehicles from passing too closely on narrow roadways.
● Cars that are in the intersection ahead of the bikers can see them better if they’re squarely on the road rather than on the extreme edge.
● Riding a bit to the left prevents the biker from being a victim of open door cars.

Taking the lane works well in most traffic areas. Traffic usually moves slower, so it is much easier to ride a bike. Biking in the lane makes the cyclist more visible to motorists and taking the road avoid drivers from right hooking as they exit the area. However, considering the lanes still depends on the roadway.

Takeaway

Just like any other type of transportation, cycling comes with a possible risk of accidents. Biking on a busy road is more dangerous and risky, but following simple traffic laws, and maintaining awareness as a cyclist can significantly help lessen the risk of an accident.