They say you never forget how to ride a bicycle. Perhaps that’s because cycling is such an important part of many of our lives – the bicycle represented the first step in becoming more responsible and independent when we first learned to ride as kids. And many adults still continue to cycle today, whether it is to get to work, to bike dozens of miles for exercise on the roads, or for pure enjoyment on the bike trail. But the fact is that wherever there are cars and bikes in the same area, there is always potential for an accident causing serious injuries for cyclists.

Cycling Statistics

The numbers show that bicycling is as popular as ever, and is actually increasing. From 2000 to 2012, the number of people using bicycles to commute to work has risen 64%. Naturally, these bicyclists will use the same or a similar route to get to work as they would if they drove a car, so they will spend a lot of time on busy roadways at peak traffic hours. Perhaps because of this increased exposure to automobiles, 71% of all bicycle crashes are in urban areas.

Alcohol plays a large role in bicycle crashes, as it does in all types of accidents. In over a third of all crashes, either the biker or the driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. One suspects that distracted driving, like looking at a smartphone or texting, also plays a large factor in bicycle accidents, though data is hard to gather on this point. The bottom line is that both drivers and bikers need to be especially cautious around one another to avoid serious injuries or even death for bikers.

Safety Tips for Cyclists

Here are some things to think about which could help bicyclists prepare for the dangers of the road:

• Wear a helmet
• Follow the same road rules as drivers (this is the law)
• Wear bright clothing to be visible in the day, reflectors at night
• Use hand signaling when turning
• Plan routes with less traffic

The most important thing bicyclists can do is to always ride predictably. Don’t swerve or make any sudden turns, since you give the cars around you very little time to react to your unexpected movements.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer

As the victim of a bicycling accident with a negligent driver, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and medical costs. It is important to contact a lawyer right away to figure out your options, and there is no better personal injury lawyer in central Florida than Richard Troutman. He is an accomplished auto accident lawyer, having handled countless cases over the past 27 years. You can rest assured that you are in the most capable legal hands by hiring the offices of Richard Troutman, since our goal is to secure you the full compensation you deserve for your tragedy. Call us today for a free consultation at 407-647-5002.