| How frequent are bicycle injuries and fatalities in the | | | | When you ride against traffic -- especially on the |
| U.S? | | | | sidewalk -- you make yourself almost invisible to |
| The National Centers for Disease Control reports that | | | | motorists turning at intersections and driveways who |
| each year, more than 500,000 people in the US are | | | | may not be expecting or looking for anyone coming |
| treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related | | | | from your direction. About 25% of bicycle/motor |
| injuries. More than 700 people die each year as a | | | | vehicle collisions involve a rider who is either riding |
| result of bicycle-related injuries. | | | | against traffic and/or riding on the sidewalk. |
| What causes bicycle crashes? | | | | How can I be sure that my bike is safe? |
| Vehicle drivers' errors or inattention are the most | | | | The American Academy of Family Physicians |
| frequent cause of bicycle crashes. Loose gravel on | | | | recommends that you check your bicycle frequently to |
| the road and rain-slicked surfaces frequently | | | | make sure that all parts are working right. Get in the |
| contributes to crashes. Speed increases risk; cyclists | | | | habit of checking before you ride. Be sure that the |
| are more likely to sustain serious injury when they are | | | | brakes are working, and that there are no loose or |
| riding fast. Doing stunts on your bicycles also increases | | | | broken parts on your bike. Having lights and reflectors |
| the odds of accidents and injury. | | | | that work makes you much more visible in the dark to |
| How can bicyclists protect themselves? | | | | motorists. |
| The simplest and most effective protection is to wear | | | | Can I carry a child on my bicycle? |
| a helmet. Helmets reduce the number of deaths and | | | | A child riding with you should always wear a helmet. |
| traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and they reduce overall | | | | For carrying a child you should mount a special seat |
| medical costs. | | | | that fits behind the main seat, spoke guards to prevent |
| How important are preventive tactics? | | | | the child's feet from getting caught in the spokes. |
| Wearing a helmet will not prevent you from being hit | | | | As a bicycle rider in California, what are my |
| by a vehicle. The essential practice of safe bicycling is | | | | responsibilities and rights? |
| to be as conspicuous and as predictable as possible | | | | California law views bicyclists as having the same |
| so that motorists around always know you are there | | | | rights and responsibilities as the operators of cars and |
| and can predict what you are going to do. | | | | trucks. The California Vehicle Code governs bicycle |
| What is the most dangerous time for bicyclists? | | | | riders, and the police deal with bicycle accidents by the |
| Night is the most dangerous time, because visibility is | | | | same procedures as they use for motor vehicle |
| reduced. Thirty-six per cent of bicycle fatalities occur | | | | accidents. |
| between 6pm and midnight. | | | | After a bicycle crash, what resources will I have to |
| How can I protect myself when I'm biking at night? | | | | pay my medical expenses? |
| Take these steps to increase your visibility: Every | | | | Many people will have insurance that will help pay |
| bicyclist should have a headlamp, preferably the newer | | | | medical bills, either through their health insurance or |
| LED (Light Emitting Diode) models, which have a | | | | through the healthcare or the uninsured motorist |
| brighter light and draw less power from batteries. | | | | provision in their automobile Insurance policy. These are |
| Every bicyclist should also have a blinking red rear light. | | | | called first party benefits, and they are the usual first |
| In addition, cyclists traveling at dusk or in the dark | | | | resource for payment for medical expenses related to |
| should wear a reflective vest with the SMV (slow | | | | a bicycle injury. |
| moving vehicle) triangle on it. Bicyclists' clothing should | | | | If my insurance company pays some of my medical |
| be bright colored, with reflective strips, to increase | | | | bills after a bicycle accident, and if I then file a lawsuit, |
| visibility to drivers | | | | when I make a recovery will they be entitled to |
| Should bicyclists ride with the traffic, or against the | | | | reimbursement? |
| traffic? | | | | Most insurance policies have a contractual provision |
| The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center of the | | | | stipulating that the insurance company has a right to |
| University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research | | | | seek recovery for reimbursement. |
| Center advises that bicyclists should ride with traffic. | | | | |