Ten Safety Recommendations For New Bicyclists In Washington State

It is not difficult to see why there has been a surprising increase of 75 percent in the number of people who commute by bicycle in the state of Washington over the course of the previous 10 years. Biking to work is a great alternative to driving to work since it is better for your health, it is more cost-effective, and in certain cases, it might get you there faster. In addition to this, it has positive effects on the environment.

Even while there are many advantages to biking to work, there are also some unique safety issues associated with it. Every year, a large number of cyclists in the state of Washington sustain injuries as a result of collisions, the majority of which involve other, larger vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Before beginning a bike commute to work in the Federal Way or Seattle areas, you should make it a priority to educate yourself on the many methods that may be used to reduce the risk of bicycle accidents and improve cycling safety.

Ten Safety Recommendations For New Bicyclists In Washington State

Before you embark on your first ride to work by bicycle, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the many safety measures that are recommended for bike commuters. Doing so will help ensure that your time spent on the road is as free of mishaps as is humanly feasible.

Always be sure you wear a helmet. When riding a bike, you should never, ever ride without wearing a helmet, but just in case: always, always wear a helmet. When riding a bike to work, this is the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself from being seriously injured or killed.

Ensure that your path is carefully prepared. It’s possible that the route that will get you to work the fastest won’t be the safest. Consider doing a thorough examination of a map in order to choose a path that does not have high-speed limits or hazardous intersections. Think about taking a little longer route that includes bike paths or lanes that are shielded from traffic.

Consider the clothes you’re wearing. Cycling while wearing clothing that is both comfortable and highly visible is a safer option than bicycling while wearing the clothes you wear to work, even if changing will take a few more minutes at work.

Take your time and don’t be in a hurry. Since riding a bike quickly may be equally as harmful as driving quickly, and worrying about work might distract you from paying attention to the road, it is a terrible idea to rush to work or worry about being late. Both of these behaviors are dangerous.

Be aware of whirling automobile doors. An accident that is referred to as a “dooring” accident takes place when an automobile that is stopped on the shoulder of the road opens its door abruptly into the path of a biker. Accidents like these take place more commonly in the mornings and evenings, when people are commuting to and from work.

Learn some different hand movements. Although signaling is not required at all times, doing so can considerably improve your safety in congested traffic, when performing potentially dangerous maneuvers, and when changing lanes.

You should stay away from those pathways. The act of riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, despite the fact that it could appear to be safe, actually poses a significant risk to pedestrians and is against the law.

Prepare yourself for potentially inclement weather. Be prepared for gloomy and wet conditions if you wish to ride your bicycle as a mode of transportation regardless of the weather. In addition, keep in mind that using lights and wearing bright colors might make you a better and safer rider.

Never wear headphones while operating a motor vehicle. When you’re behind the wheel, it’s a good idea to put on some tunes or catch up on some of your favorite podcasts to pass the time. However, in order to maintain both your safety and your awareness of your surroundings when cycling, you need to keep your ears covered.

Keep in mind that your bicycle needs regular maintenance. For your own protection, you should keep your bicycle in good working order at all times, particularly if you ride it more frequently than once per week. When the mechanics of a bicycle break down, it results in a significant number of accidents.

Final thoughts

Always follow the rules and regulations while riding your bicycle. If you are suffering from a bicycle accident in Bellevue, always choose the right Bellevue bicycle accident attorney to give you the proper compensation.