Renew Your Focus on Bicycle Safety This Spring

Bicycling can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and physical fitness. Getting involved in riding is simple and fun with groups such as the Oklahoma Bicycle Society holding rides statewide and emphasizing safety. 

Despite the best safety efforts, though, bicyclists can still be seriously injured in bicycle accidents involving cars. Too often, motorists fail to see bicyclists because they aren’t looking for two wheeled vehicles and fail to see cyclists until it is too late. Some bicyclists put themselves in danger by failing to follow the rules of the road.

Oklahoma reported 13 cycling fatalities in 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over the last decade of reporting, more than six people died annually on average in bicycling-related crashes.

During May, Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, motorists and bicyclists should refocus their efforts to share the road and reach their destination safety.

The Right Equipment to Avoid Bicycle Accidents

One of the first steps of bicycle safety is finding appropriate bicycling equipment that fits well and protects you.

• Before purchasing or riding a bicycle, make sure it is adjusted to match your leg and arm length.
• Always wear a properly-fitting helmet when riding to make sure your head is protected from a serious brain injury in case of a crash.
• Wear bright-colored clothing making it easier for motorists to see you.
• Check reflectors to ensure they can be seen by motorists, in case you are riding at dusk or as darkness begins to fall. Bicycles ridden at night should have headlights that can be seen at least 500 feet from the front and taillights visible from about 300 feet from the rear.

Before riding this year, conduct maintenance on your bicycle and make sure it is in good working condition. If you have a Trek bicycle with front disk brakes and quick release hubs, be aware of a recent safety recall to replace a quick release level on the bicycle’s front wheel. You can take your bicycle to a local Trek dealer to have the repair made.

Get in Habit of Wearing Bicycle Helmet While Young

A helmet is the best safety device for reducing head injuries and death in bicycle crashes, according to safekidsok.org, which issues these safety tips.

• Parents should make sure that your child wears a helmet whenever the child rides a bicycle. The helmet should meet standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Helmets should fit correctly, sitting on top of the head in a level position without rocking back and forth or side to side. Straps should be buckled but not too tightly.
• Involving your child in the selection of the helmet may make wearing a helmet more acceptable to them.
• Make sure your child’s bicycle fits his or her size. Avoid buying one they’ll grow into in a couple of years. When they sit on the seat, their feet should touch the ground.
• Check reflectors, brakes, gears and tires to ensure they’re in working order.
• Make sure your children learn the rules of the road and follow traffic laws. Supervise them to ensure they have good skills. You should always be a good role model for proper riding.

Abide by Oklahoma Traffic Laws

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society emphasizes safety and following state law in the Oklahoma Bicycle Manual: The Law and Bikes.

• Follow the rules of the road because most laws applying to motorists also apply to bicyclists. Check with local law enforcement to find out if your area has specific bicycling laws.
• Bicyclists must abide by all traffic control devices, stop signs and traffic lights.
• Check with your city or county government to find out if registration and licensing is required.
• In some communities, bicyclists are required to ride on bike paths adjacent to roads, not along the roadway. Check with local governments.
• Bicyclists are to ride as close as practical to the road’s right side and use caution when passing a vehicle.
• Bicycles must be driven on the right half of the road. Exceptions include when passing a vehicle in the same direction, when an obstruction is in the way, and when a road is restricted to one-way traffic.
• Riding on the left side of the road toward traffic is illegal and unsafe. Motorists typically don’t look to the right for oncoming vehicles. Riding in the wrong direction is more likely to cause a head-on collision that can cause serious injuries and death.
• Use hand signals at least 100 feet before turning or while you are stopped.
• Don’t carry anything that keeps you from putting both hands on the handle bars, and don’t attach bicycles to other vehicles while riding.

Check with the Oklahoma Bicycle Society to find out when it is holding a ride in your area. During Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, renew an emphasis on avoid bicycle crashes and get involved in riding for years of fitness and enjoyment.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a motorist, talk to an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer about your legal rights to claim compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses. We may be able to help.

Bicycling can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and physical fitness. Getting involved in riding is simple and fun with groups such as the Oklahoma Bicycle Society holding rides statewide and emphasizing safety.

Despite the best safety efforts, though, bicyclists can still be seriously injured in bicycle accidents involving cars. Too often, motorists fail to see bicyclists because they aren’t looking for two wheeled vehicles and fail to see cyclists until it is too late. Some bicyclists put themselves in danger by failing to follow the rules of the road.

Oklahoma reported 13 cycling fatalities in 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over the last decade of reporting, more than six people died annually on average in bicycling-related crashes.

During May, Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, motorists and bicyclists should refocus their efforts to share the road and reach their destination safety.

The Right Equipment to Avoid Bicycle Accidents

One of the first steps of bicycle safety is finding appropriate bicycling equipment that fits well and protects you.

• Before purchasing or riding a bicycle, make sure it is adjusted to match your leg and arm length.
• Always wear a properly-fitting helmet when riding to make sure your head is protected from a serious brain injury in case of a crash.
• Wear bright-colored clothing making it easier for motorists to see you.
• Check reflectors to ensure they can be seen by motorists, in case you are riding at dusk or as darkness begins to fall. Bicycles ridden at night should have headlights that can be seen at least 500 feet from the front and taillights visible from about 300 feet from the rear.

Before riding this year, conduct maintenance on your bicycle and make sure it is in good working condition. If you have a Trek bicycle with front disk brakes and quick release hubs, be aware of a recent safety recall to replace a quick release level on the bicycle’s front wheel. You can take your bicycle to a local Trek dealer to have the repair made.

Get in Habit of Wearing Bicycle Helmet While Young

A helmet is the best safety device for reducing head injuries and death in bicycle crashes, according to safekidsok.org, which issues these safety tips.

• Parents should make sure that your child wears a helmet whenever the child rides a bicycle. The helmet should meet standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Helmets should fit correctly, sitting on top of the head in a level position without rocking back and forth or side to side. Straps should be buckled but not too tightly.
• Involving your child in the selection of the helmet may make wearing a helmet more acceptable to them.
• Make sure your child’s bicycle fits his or her size. Avoid buying one they’ll grow into in a couple of years. When they sit on the seat, their feet should touch the ground.
• Check reflectors, brakes, gears and tires to ensure they’re in working order.
• Make sure your children learn the rules of the road and follow traffic laws. Supervise them to ensure they have good skills. You should always be a good role model for proper riding.

Abide by Oklahoma Traffic Laws

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society emphasizes safety and following state law in the Oklahoma Bicycle Manual: The Law and Bikes.

• Follow the rules of the road because most laws applying to motorists also apply to bicyclists. Check with local law enforcement to find out if your area has specific bicycling laws.
• Bicyclists must abide by all traffic control devices, stop signs and traffic lights.
• Check with your city or county government to find out if registration and licensing is required.
• In some communities, bicyclists are required to ride on bike paths adjacent to roads, not along the roadway. Check with local governments.
• Bicyclists are to ride as close as practical to the road’s right side and use caution when passing a vehicle.
• Bicycles must be driven on the right half of the road. Exceptions include when passing a vehicle in the same direction, when an obstruction is in the way, and when a road is restricted to one-way traffic.
• Riding on the left side of the road toward traffic is illegal and unsafe. Motorists typically don’t look to the right for oncoming vehicles. Riding in the wrong direction is more likely to cause a head-on collision that can cause serious injuries and death.
• Use hand signals at least 100 feet before turning or while you are stopped.
• Don’t carry anything that keeps you from putting both hands on the handle bars, and don’t attach bicycles to other vehicles while riding.

Check with the Oklahoma Bicycle Society to find out when it is holding a ride in your area. During Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, renew an emphasis on avoid bicycle crashes and get involved in riding for years of fitness and enjoyment.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a motorist, talk to an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer about your legal rights to claim compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses. We may be able to help.

Bicycling can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and physical fitness. Getting involved in riding is simple and fun with groups such as the Oklahoma Bicycle Society holding rides statewide and emphasizing safety.

Despite the best safety efforts, though, bicyclists can still be seriously injured in bicycle accidents involving cars. Too often, motorists fail to see bicyclists because they aren’t looking for two wheeled vehicles and fail to see cyclists until it is too late. Some bicyclists put themselves in danger by failing to follow the rules of the road.

Oklahoma reported 13 cycling fatalities in 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over the last decade of reporting, more than six people died annually on average in bicycling-related crashes.

During May, Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, motorists and bicyclists should refocus their efforts to share the road and reach their destination safety.

The Right Equipment to Avoid Bicycle Accidents

One of the first steps of bicycle safety is finding appropriate bicycling equipment that fits well and protects you.

• Before purchasing or riding a bicycle, make sure it is adjusted to match your leg and arm length.
• Always wear a properly-fitting helmet when riding to make sure your head is protected from a serious brain injury in case of a crash.
• Wear bright-colored clothing making it easier for motorists to see you.
• Check reflectors to ensure they can be seen by motorists, in case you are riding at dusk or as darkness begins to fall. Bicycles ridden at night should have headlights that can be seen at least 500 feet from the front and taillights visible from about 300 feet from the rear.

Before riding this year, conduct maintenance on your bicycle and make sure it is in good working condition. If you have a Trek bicycle with front disk brakes and quick release hubs, be aware of a recent safety recall to replace a quick release level on the bicycle’s front wheel. You can take your bicycle to a local Trek dealer to have the repair made.

Get in Habit of Wearing Bicycle Helmet While Young

A helmet is the best safety device for reducing head injuries and death in bicycle crashes, according to safekidsok.org, which issues these safety tips.

• Parents should make sure that your child wears a helmet whenever the child rides a bicycle. The helmet should meet standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Helmets should fit correctly, sitting on top of the head in a level position without rocking back and forth or side to side. Straps should be buckled but not too tightly.
• Involving your child in the selection of the helmet may make wearing a helmet more acceptable to them.
• Make sure your child’s bicycle fits his or her size. Avoid buying one they’ll grow into in a couple of years. When they sit on the seat, their feet should touch the ground.
• Check reflectors, brakes, gears and tires to ensure they’re in working order.
• Make sure your children learn the rules of the road and follow traffic laws. Supervise them to ensure they have good skills. You should always be a good role model for proper riding.

Abide by Oklahoma Traffic Laws

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society emphasizes safety and following state law in the Oklahoma Bicycle Manual: The Law and Bikes.

• Follow the rules of the road because most laws applying to motorists also apply to bicyclists. Check with local law enforcement to find out if your area has specific bicycling laws.
• Bicyclists must abide by all traffic control devices, stop signs and traffic lights.
• Check with your city or county government to find out if registration and licensing is required.
• In some communities, bicyclists are required to ride on bike paths adjacent to roads, not along the roadway. Check with local governments.
• Bicyclists are to ride as close as practical to the road’s right side and use caution when passing a vehicle.
• Bicycles must be driven on the right half of the road. Exceptions include when passing a vehicle in the same direction, when an obstruction is in the way, and when a road is restricted to one-way traffic.
• Riding on the left side of the road toward traffic is illegal and unsafe. Motorists typically don’t look to the right for oncoming vehicles. Riding in the wrong direction is more likely to cause a head-on collision that can cause serious injuries and death.
• Use hand signals at least 100 feet before turning or while you are stopped.
• Don’t carry anything that keeps you from putting both hands on the handle bars, and don’t attach bicycles to other vehicles while riding.

Check with the Oklahoma Bicycle Society to find out when it is holding a ride in your area. During Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, renew an emphasis on avoid bicycle crashes and get involved in riding for years of fitness and enjoyment.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a motorist, talk to an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer about your legal rights to claim compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses. We may be able to help.