Safety Tips for Bicyclists | Louisville

August 11, 2014

Louisville repeatedly ranks as one of the top US cities for bicycling. There are many bicycle-friendly cities across Kentucky and Indiana. In these cities and cities across the country, it’s important to drive and bike responsibly to avoid bike accidents and serious injuries. Drivers and bicyclists can both be responsible for mistakes that lead to an accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if you are a bicyclist you should:

• Wear bright colors and use reflective tape and lights on your bicycle. Staying visible is an important way to get drivers to see and recognize you.
• Always travel in the same direction as cars. You shouldn’t drive against traffic. Motorists expect bicyclists to behave more or less like cars. Your behavior should be as predictable as possible.
• Wear a helmet. A properly fitted helmet can protect you from severe head injuries if you are involved in an accident.
• Obey signs and traffic laws. Like motorists, bicyclists should signal their intention to turn and change lanes, and must stop at red lights and stop signs.
• Don’t ride distracted. Stay alert and don’t use a cell phone or other electronic device while riding your bike.
• Make sure your bike is in good working order. Check your tires and other bike parts to prevent any problems on the road.

According to the NHTSA, most cyclist fatalities during 2012 occurred during the hours between 4pm and midnight and in urban settings. Their findings also show that 1 in 4 bicyclists killed in crashes in 2012 had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher.