cycling safety Archives - Gary Brustin

Can You or Can’t You? – The Difficult Situation of Sidewalk Cycling

Posted on September 27, 2018October 8, 2019 by Gary Brustin

Sidewalk Cycling

Like so many other cycling laws, as to whether or not you can actually ride your bicycle on the sidewalk can be a difficult thing to answer. The law on the subject is not covered by any federal guidelines and not every state law covers them either. Instead, the law tends to be specific to local municipalities. Which means if you want to know if you can in your area, then you need to check city law if there is nothing in the state law.

However, even if there is no explicit law regarding sidewalk cycling in your area, you will always find people who think there is. For some reason, riding your bicycle on the sidewalk even without laws against it is frowned upon by pedestrians. But why? Most cyclists have more problems with other motorists than they have with pedestrians. When they ride responsible on sidewalks, everyone is safer.

Are There Cycling Laws?

Of course, if there are no laws, then all the dirty looks in the world can’t stop you from doing it. However, always remember that if there is a bicycle lane available, you should be using it. So many people rally against bicycle lanes because it takes away driver parking and they claim cyclists don’t use them. This is why when a city makes preparations for cyclists, they should be using them, even though the closer you are to cars occasionally means the closer you are to danger. However, if no cyclists choose bicycle lanes over sidewalks, the motorist will never learn to share the road and bike lanes will stop being built.

As for the legality of sidewalk cycling, it is explicitly banned in very few cities, but cyclists should only use it when necessary. When roads are too narrow or bike lanes are not available, you should be able to go to the sidewalk if you can. For more information on cycling laws and safety, contact us today.

4 Tips for Choosing a Safe Route for Riding Your Bike

Posted on July 20, 2018October 8, 2019 by Gary Brustin

When it comes to bicycle safety, it’s not just important how you ride your bike, but also where you ride it. Here are some tips for riding your bike in the right places.

Choose a Quieter Route

If there are two routes, one which crosses many busy intersections and another that goes on side roads, take the one that goes on the side roads. It might take you slightly longer to get to your destination, but it’s worth it. And hey, you’ll get some more exercise and enjoy a quieter ride and better scenery.

Ride at the Right Time of Day

It’s not just where you ride, it’s when you ride. Obviously, riding at night should be avoided if you can ride at day instead. However, there are times of day when traffic is a lot heavier and people are in a rush to get to their destinations. If possible, ride at a time of day when people are at work and the roads are quieter.

Be Careful On Narrow Roads

When riding on roads that are very narrow and barely allow for a car to get through, exercise caution. If possible, avoid them. This is especially true when there is no grass or woods where you can drive into in the case of an emergency, such as if there is a wall.

Don’t Ride Right Next to Curb

You don’t want to ride in the middle of the road, but riding right next to the curb is wrong too. First of all, all the gravel, gutters, potholes, and debris will make for a shaky ride. There may be obstacles that force you to swerve unpredictably into the flow of traffic. In addition, you have no leeway in case you need to get out of a car’s way.

For legal help in case of an accident, contact us right away.

6 Simple Tips for Safer Cycling

Posted on July 5, 2018October 8, 2019 by Gary Brustin

Bicycles are a great way to get some exercise, have fun, enjoy the weather, and get around affordably. However, it is important to ride safely. Here are some tips for safer cycling.

Make Sure It Fits

Get a bicycle that actually fits you. The saddle should be not too high as that your feet can not pedal properly and not too low, which will hinder your pedaling. It should also be the perfect distance away from the handlebars so that you can control your bike properly. The handlebars also have to be the right height.

Ditch Those Headphones

Listening to music is relaxing, and listening to podcasts is informational, but they should not be done while riding your bike. You need to be able to hear sounds from vehicles, pedestrians, and other cyclists.

No Phone Either

Don’t text and drive your bike. Don’t even take it out for a peek. If it’s an emergency, pull over to a safe place before taking it out. It is a good idea to put your phone on silent so that it doesn’t distract you when it rings or vibrates.

Use Both Hands For Safer Cycling

Always use both hands when riding your bike. This will help you steer better. In addition, it will help you avoid jerky turns, especially when unexpected obstacles appear. It will make braking easier as well.

Don’t Be Unpredictable

Always ride in a predictable manner. Don’t swerve suddenly out of the path you were going. Cars that are driving behind you may not be able to turn so quickly. That’s why you need to be on the lookout for potential obstacles so that they don’t surprise you.

Wear a Cap

If you are going to be riding directly in the sunlight, a cap may help improve your vision. A glaring sun can make it harder to see what is in front of you.

For legal help in case of an accident, contact us.

How to Stay Safe When On Your Bike

Posted on April 19, 2018October 8, 2019 by Gary Brustin

Riding a bicycle can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get exercise. When riding a bike, it is important that you follow the proper precautions to ensure you remain safe. There are several bike safety tips that should be followed to ensure you remain safe while on the road.

Go with Traffic

One of the main tips that you need to follow when riding your bike is to go with the traffic patterns as much as possible. When you are riding your bike, you need to ride on the same side of the road as traffic. You also need to properly follow all street lights, signs, and other local regulations. Furthermore, you should avoid crossing streets when it is not allowed and weaving between traffic.

Alertness

When you are riding your bike, you also need to make sure that you stay as alert as possible. While you may want to listen to music or zone out when on your bike, you need to continue to stay focused whenever you are biking. This will allow you to recognize a potential hazard and avoid an accident.

Stay Visible

When on your bike, you also need to try and make yourself as visible as possible. Some great ways to do this is to stay in designated biking areas, avoid being hidden behind trucks and big cars, and making the appropriate hand signals and gestures when necessary. You could also try and make eye contact with nearby drivers to ensure that they are aware of your presence. When biking at night, you should make sure your bike as proper lights and reflectors and that you are wearing brighter clothes.

While you can be as safe as possible when riding a bicycle, you still may find yourself in an accident at some point. If you are involved in an accident while riding your bike, you should contact us immediately. We can help to ensure your rights are properly represented.

Cycling Safety This Winter

Posted on January 18, 2018October 8, 2019 by Gary Brustin

For many cyclists, at the first sign of snowflakes, they hang up their bike for the season and engage in some other mode of transport. However, they are missing out on one of the most fun riding experiences of life. While cycling in the snow is innately more dangerous, there are few more refreshing experiences than cycling in the snow. However, with road conditions worse and motorists still just as uninformed when it comes to sharing the road, there are a few more safety tips to consider.

You Have the Right to a Lane

The biggest issue with cycling in the snow is that bike paths are often left ignored by snow plows. Furthermore, they are often the first victims of snow bank build up as well. If you find your usual bike lane is clogged with snow, don’t be afraid to move into the lane. You have the right to the road just like any motorist and if the bike lane is too narrow or unusable, you are fully within your right to merge into traffic.

Take Turns Wider

Between the snow banks and slick conditions, taking turns on a dime with relative quickness is going to be pretty impossible. The key to riding safely in the winter is to go slow and take as much space as you need, particularly when it comes to taking turns. However, always do a shoulder check before wide turns to make sure there is not a motorist speeding up on you.

Don’t Be Afraid to Dismount

Riding in the winter for many cyclists means putting on winter tires more akin to mountain bikes. However, even with proper winter tires, areas of thick snow or heavy ice can be difficult to navigate. Yet, just because you are riding your bike doesn’t mean you should have to force yourself through. If the path is too treacherous, just get off and walk it for a spell.

For many areas of the United States, winter cycling is a big time for accidents. Between sheer lack of knowledge and the stress caused by snow, accidents are more likely. However, if you have been in an accident on your bicycle, contact us today so Gary Brustin can help get you the justice you deserve.