CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY ENCOURAGES BIKE SAFETY
Bicycling season is well under way in Illinois. Before you hit the trails, consider proper bike safety. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 698 cyclists were killed and an additional 44,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2007.
Take precautions to limit your risk as a cyclist. Such precautions include wearing a helmet that fits properly. One study reports that it would be cheaper for society, overall, to give every child that rides a bike a helmet rather than cover the medical costs that stem from injuries. You should also wear appropriate clothing, especially at night, in order to be visible to traffic. Regular maintenance of your bike is also key to safe riding. Most importantly, pedal with safety in mind. Respect all the rules of the road as if you were in a car. Keep to the right and ride with traffic, as opposed to against it. Ride your bike predictably and always signal when you turn or stop.
Motorists need to be extra cautious, as well, now that more bikes are on the road. Cyclists should be treated as any other vehicle operator on the road.
