How cyclists can stay safe on the road

This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm.

For many people, biking is an effective way to exercise, commute and explore. When traveling on roadways, however, cyclists need to carefully share the road with other vehicles.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 78% of bicyclist deaths occurred in urban areas — which makes proper safety measures all the more important in the Triangle area.

Knowing the rules of the road is the first step to ensuring your safety while riding.

"Cyclists who ride on the streets must know the rules of the road – all of the same rules that apply to cars and other motor vehicles apply equally to bicycles," said Ann Ochsner, attorney at Whitley Law Firm.

That means cyclists should cycle with the flow of traffic, obey street signs and traffic lights, watch for pedestrians and pay careful attention when on the road.

According to Michele Hood, marketing and community engagement manager at Citrix Cycle, the City of Raleigh provides in-depth safety tips for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

"Since Citrix Cycle is Raleigh’s bike share and a joint partnership with the City of Raleigh as well as Citrix, we usually refer people to the city’s website for Safety Tips for Bicyclists, Pedestrians and Motorists," said Hood. "Their tips are not only thorough, but in line with city/state laws and ordinances."

Two of the most common causes of accidents on the road are driver inattention and cyclists not being visible enough. According to Ochsner, cyclists should follow these steps to stay safe on the road:

• Wear brightly colored clothing
• Use headlights and taillights at all times, but especially during dusk, nighttime and before sunrise
• Ride in a group; multiple cyclists are easier to spot than one single rider and there is safety in numbers
• Use dedicated bike lanes whenever possible
• Be aware of your surroundings and drive defensively
• Never wear headphones or earbuds when riding a bike on the road with traffic

In the case that a crash does occur, a cyclist's personal safety is the most important priority. If possible, however, those involved should gather the information needed to cover bodily injuries. These injuries can include lost wages, permanent scarring, physical pain and mental scarring and future medical expenses.

"The first priority after a crash is to seek medical attention as necessary. Next, alert the appropriate law enforcement agency about the crash," said Ochsner. "Third, gather as much information as possible, like names of witnesses, photos of cars, people, your bike and street names. Fourth, keep your bike, because it will likely provide useful information about how the crash happened."

While cyclists will likely be shaken up after the crash, collecting this information can help them recover damages later on.

For those involved in an accident and wondering if they may be entitled to compensation, Ochsner recommends speaking with an attorney.

"At Whitley Law Firm, we offer free initial consultations," said Ochsner. "Having that call with a legal professional right away can help ensure that you have a case and that your timeline to make a claim doesn’t expire."

This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm.