Safety Tips for Cyclists in Philadelphia

Cycling can provide you with a sensation that you are all on your own. Winding through traffic, paying attention to the sounds of nature or even listening to music on your earbuds. Unfortunately, you cannot afford to be anything less than vigilant when riding your bicycle. 

Not only do you need to pay attention to what is going on around you while you are cycling, but you also need to communicate with others with whom you share the road. This begins with keeping your eyes and ears alert. Look around you while you are riding. Observe your surroundings and whenever possible look ahead. What hazards are upcoming? Avoiding accidents with anticipation is key.

Simple eye contact can prevent accidents with motorists. Before making even a simple turn in front of a vehicle, make eye contact with the driver. While this will not always be possible, you should try and ensure that the other driver acknowledges your presence.  As we mentioned earlier, just because you see an oncoming vehicle does not mean the driver sees you. Proceed with caution until you can verify that the driver sees you coming. 

Do not assume that vehicles can see you when cycling. Just because the vehicle appears to see you does not mean that this is true. Make every effort to not ride in blind spots. Signal turns with your arms and wear bright colored clothing. In addition to proper reflectors and lights, ensuring that you are visible can make a major difference when it comes to preventing accidents. 

Cycling to Work in Philadelphia

Exercise and leisure are not the only reasons why you may take the road on a bicycle. As cycling becomes more popular it is only natural that you may look into using your bicycle as a means of transportation to and from your place of employment. 

Balancing the need for safety and courtesy on the road is a key factor when attempting to cycle to work. Wearing cycling clothing and having the appropriate gear for morning and evening rides are a critical defense against serious accidents. During the morning commute, motorists are often distracted at worst and simply unable to see well due to poor visibility. Appropriate lights on your bicycle, reflective clothing and bright colors can make you more conspicuous.

Common Mistakes Made by Cyclists

One of the most significant errors that a cyclist can make is to take up more space on the road than is necessary. As we just mentioned, motorists in Pennsylvania are required to provide cyclists a four foot cushion on either side. When a cyclist attempts to ride closer to the middle of the lane. Vehicles are unable to pass safely and this can lead to accidents when an attempted pass occurs. 

Another common issue which frequently arises with cyclists is inattentive riding. Just as motorists can find themselves distracted, the same problem occurs with cyclists. Checking their phones means that even a split second to take their eyes off the road can lead to a major accident. Likewise, cycling while tired can lead to unintentionally reckless actions. 

Why Hiring a Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney Makes Sense After a Crash

Although an excellent means of getting around Philadelphia, bicycling is not without risks. In a busy, urban environment vehicles are not always as considerate of bicyclists as they should be. On top of that, road conditions due to rain and extreme heat can prove treacherous for cyclists. In that case, there are steps you need to take in the event that you are injured in a cycling accident. 

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. Fights for Cyclists Injured in Bicycle Accidents 

Even if a cyclist rides with the best of intentions and proper safety protocol, accidents can still happen.  Don’t leave your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages to chance. Instead, contact Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., today. Our team of legal professionals offers free of charge consultations. Allow us to answer your questions in a comfortable, pressure-free environment. 

We know that the insurance companies are difficult to speak to and negotiate with. Our team has filed lawsuits on behalf of cyclists injured in every type of bicycle accident you can imagine. We put our clients first and would be honored to do the same for you.