Tips for Safe Cycling During the Holiday Season

The winter holidays should be a time to treasure with friends and family — and an opportunity to unplug from the grind and enjoy some great cycling.

Yet while the holidays are a wonderful time to cycle, they also present some additional safety challenges. Weather and road conditions can become more treacherous, daylight hours are in much shorter supply and local motorists are busy running between shopping centers.

Add it up, and you’ve got a dangerous mix of poor visibility, erratic weather and heavy traffic.

To help ensure that you and your loved ones remain safe this holiday season, let’s take a closer look at some of the most important things you can do in the event of a collision.

Post-Collision Holiday Safety Tips

• After a collision, contact first responders and render first aid, if necessary. It’s vitally important to ensure that no cyclist is left injured in a vulnerable position (in the middle of a busy road, for example). While some cyclists may wish to simply “ride it off” and not contact emergency services, this can be dangerous — many of the most serious injuries related to bike accidents are internal, or may not manifest until later. Even if everyone is obviously in good health, reporting the collision is an act of good citizenship. It helps agencies compile more accurate crash data.
• Once emergency services have been contacted and first aid rendered (if necessary), personal information (name, insurance, license, vehicle make and model, name of the officer, police report number etc.) should be exchanged. This process is largely the same as seen with auto-to-auto accidents.
• Witness statements and information should also be provided to the police, as witnesses may play a vital role in determining liability for the collision. If you are a witness, take the time from your day to help ensure that everyone is OK and to establish the facts of the collision. Your neutral perspective will be invaluable down the road.
• You also may wish to take photos or videos of the damage to bikes, any personal injuries or the surrounding road conditions.
• If you bike is damaged, take it to a local repair shop for an estimate. Bikes can sustain significant damage that is not always visible on the surface.
• Contact a local bicycle accident attorney. By working with an attorney who specializes in bicycle collision litigation, you can rest assured that your attorney has the knowledge, skills and experience to handle even the most challenging cycling cases.

The Gary Brustin Difference

The Law Firm of Gary Brustin stands out from other California personal injury practitioners for one reason: We are completely dedicated to bicycle litigation. Because we focus on this single legal niche, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to handle even the most complex cases.

In addition to being a tireless legal advocate for those who ride our roads and local bike paths, Gary is an avid cyclist. When he isn’t litigating bicycle injury cases, you can find him out riding and enjoying California’s scenic cycling routes.

If you’ve been injured as the result of a cycling accident, we urge you to call Gary Brustin today for an immediate consultation.