The Most Common Obstacles That Keep You Off Your Bike

There are a lot of reasons to take up cycling, but the major problem is that there are so many more reasons not to. If you want to take up cycling as a commuter or just for fun, knowing how to overcome common obstacles is crucial to keep doing it. If you hit one road bump, don’t give up, learn how to tackle it instead.

Challenges of Riding in Traffic

This is the major obstacle that bars people from ever trying to cycle in town. However, cars aren’t going away and if you really want to cycle, you need to learn to make nice. The key to overcoming the fear of riding with cars is to start small. Go around your neighborhood, plan trips with others in less crowded areas of town, and get plenty of tips on how to ride with traffic. There will always be risks, but the more comfortable you are, the more traffic you can deal with.

Flat Tires

This is the eternal worry for cyclists. They are riding around town and their tires get progressively flatter. In most cases, all your tire needs is a little air, and since they are so small, even a manual pump can do the job. Of course, if you run over something sharp, having a temporary patch kit on hand can be a lifesaver.

You Can’t Carry Stuff

If you think about the stuff you usually carry in your car – your lunch, a few papers for work, a water bottle – you realize you don’t really need the carrying capacity of a car except for the big stuff. Realize that most things can be carried in a backpack, or at most, a saddlebag.

Not Knowing How to Keep a Bike Safe

It is easier to steal a bike than a car, there is no doubt. However, if you get even a reasonably thick bike lock and know that you need to lock your bike up somewhere visible rather than secluded, you can be assured your bike probably isn’t going to get taken. The great thing about your bike is you can lock them up in some very public places and the public helps to guard them.

If you are ready to overcome these obstacles and go out on the road, know that accidents still might happen. However, if they do, contact us today to make sure you get the representation that you deserve.

Tips for New Cycling Commuters

You know what they say, the first step to making a change is to actually do it. While sharing the road with cars on a bicycle as well as the extra effort it takes to commute on a bicycle that actively engages your body puts many people off, if you have decided to take the leap, you have decided on a great life change. However, if you are preparing for your first bicycle commute or even your hundredth, you can benefit from a few tips.

Plan Ahead

Not every city is bicycle friendly everywhere you go. This is why it benefits many to plan ahead before getting on the road for a morning rush hour. If you can take a route with bike lanes, it will greatly increase your cycling confidence as well as your road safety, even if it adds a little distance to your commute. Break out those city maps and find a route that works for you.

Read Up on Traffic Laws

You know your traffic laws for cars, and they are very similar for bicycles. However, knowing to bike in the direction of traffic and that you still need to come to a complete stop at red lights in many states will help keep you safe. Not only this, but when you do get in a car, you will be more aware of cyclists and what they have to deal with, so it will help prevent accidents.

Know Hand Signals

Being a predictable cyclist makes everyone a little safer. If you have to turn or otherwise move, be sure to signal so everyone involved knows what you are doing. This includes both cars as well as other cyclists that may be around you.

Find a Riding Buddy

The best way for a new cyclist to learn is to learn from someone more experienced. With the widespread reach of social media, even small towns may have cyclist groups that you can join on the commute. This can help ease the transition from car to bike.

Practice

You never forget how to ride a bike, but if it has been awhile, you may forget how to ride a bike well. One of the most crucial things is to practice is your start from a dead stop. If you are wobbly, you need to work on it first before going out into traffic.

While these tips will help you start bicycling as a commuter, accidents might happen. However, cars have to share the road with cyclists. So if you have been in a bicycle accident and need representation, contact us today.

Who is at Fault for Bicycle Accidents Involving Children?

We talk a lot about bicycle accidents concerning adults. However, the truth is that a large number of adults ride their bicycles, but almost every child does too. They might stick to sidewalks sometimes, but at some point, they will use the streets as their pathway, and accidents will occur. However, just like bicycling accidents with adults, sometimes the children can be at fault, right?

The truth is that the law tends to lean more in a child cyclist’s favor compared to an adult. In the eyes of the law, adults are fully capable of making decisions for their safety. They know it is a bad idea to cross without looking both ways and they should know who has the right of way in what situations. However, children are often considered less responsible for this. In fact, drivers are considered responsible to take more care when children are present on the roadways. If only that was the case with all cyclists and there would probably be fewer accidents, right?

In terms of fault, when there is a car or bicycle accident involving children, in many cases the fault will rest with the driver. Only rarely in cases of extreme negligence will the child be held responsible for the accident, in which their parents may need to pay for damages.

If you have been in a bicycle accident or had a child involved in a bicycle accident, contact us today. The Law Office of Gary Brustin is dedicated to keeping cyclists of all ages safe on roads dominated by cars.

Should There Be a Bicycle Tax?

There’s a new slogan coming out of a few select lawmaker’s offices – “We share the road, we should share the costs.” This slogan speaks to what could be a growing trend of a “bicycle tax” that states that adults should pay a small tax on bicycle purchases that go to local governments to support transportation costs. As you would expect, opinions are highly mixed on the issue.

This new tax comes immediately from Oregon where they passed a law that states that adult bicycle purchases over $200 now have to pay an additional $15 to the state to support road costs. Now other towns in Colorado are looking at passing a similar law, and if it succeeds, it could be coming to your bike-friendly town next.

Naturally, bicycle riders and bicycle shop owners lean against the law since it would likely affect a person’s decision to purchase a bike. However, non-cyclists and lawmaker’s argue that it is only $15 and as car drivers, they have been paying such taxes for years. With many cities now putting in dedicated bicycle lanes for cyclists, many are calling for them to help pay for it.

Naturally, this will likely be the cause of much debate over the coming years. Cycling is a body and Earth-friendly way of getting around, and those who care for the environment want to encourage more people to make the switch. However, would a small tax discourage it?

Regardless of the cost of buying a bicycle, people will likely still do it, and this means accidents will still happen. If you have been the victim of bicycle discrimination or a serious accident, contact us today. The Law Office of Gary Brustin is dedicated to supporting the rights of cyclists.