Cycling is a lot of fun and an excellent form of exercise. You can even bike on the road and legally share the same lanes that motor vehicles use. Unfortunately, for all of the health benefits that cycling offers, it can also put people at increased risk of getting hurt on the Nevada roads.
A collision with a motor vehicle could kill or permanently injure a cyclist. Frequently, it will be the person in the four-wheeled vehicle and not the cyclist who is to blame for a crash that leaves a cyclist severely hurt.
What can you as an avid cyclist do to limit your risk of getting hurt in a crash with a vehicle?
Carefully follow traffic laws
Cyclists are subject to many of the same rules as drivers are and also have to follow special rules that apply to bicycles. For example, if you don’t install an illuminated turn signal system on your bicycle, then you will need to use hand signals to indicate to other people in traffic when you intend to turn or come to a stop.
Complying with those traffic rules and following all posted traffic signs will decrease the likelihood of a crash with a vehicle.
Invest in visibility gear
Cyclists wear neon colors for a reason. Those brilliant oranges, yellows and pinks draw the eyes of people nearby. When you consider how many drivers claim that they didn’t see a cyclist before causing a wreck, the value of drawing the attention of nearby drivers is obvious.
Wearing bright colors when you are out during the day and ensuring you have adequate reflectors and illuminated gear on your bike for evening and nighttime rides can help keep you safe on the road.
Practice defensive cycling
Even if you wear the best cycling helmet available and the brightest colors you can find, you have no control over what other people do on the road. Defensive cycling is much like defensive driving. It requires that you consider everyone else on the road a possible threat and adjust your cycling practices accordingly.
Keeping safety your top priority could reduce the risk of a cycling crash and put you in a more actionable position if you ever do experience one.