Cycling is very common in Denver, thanks to its extensive bike trails and the active lifestyle preferred by much of the community. Cyclists have the same rights as the drivers of passenger vehicles when they take to the road, including the right to safe travel. Taking bicycle safety and preventative measures in Denver can help keep cyclists safer. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to take important safety precautions, increasing the risk of devastating accidents. If you were involved in a bike crash, contact our bicycle wreck attorneys today.
Safety Measures for Cyclists
Bicycle safety and accident prevention in Denver start with the cyclist. Cyclists who expect drivers to behave negligently can often take steps that will help them avoid devastating collisions and the damages that can occur:
- Using bike lanes: Where possible, riders should use bike lanes, rather than riding directly on the road.
- Riding with traffic: Bicycle riders should ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic, not against it.
- Staying alert: Riders should avoid potential distractions, keeping their attention on the road around them.
- Wearing a helmet: While Colorado law does not require the use of a bicycle helmet, bike riders should wear a helmet whenever they travel to reduce the risk of head, neck, and facial injuries.
- Wearing bright clothing: Riders should wear bright or reflective clothing to make themselves more visible to motorists.
- Following the rules of the road: Cyclists should follow the same rules of the road as drivers, including stopping at stop signs and yielding to other vehicles when they have the right of way.
- Keeping up with bicycle maintenance: Taking care of regular maintenance on bicycles, including keeping tires properly inflated and fixing any problems with the bicycle, decreases the odds of an accident.
These simple safety precautions can help keep riders safe on the road, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing them to predict potentially dangerous behavior from others sharing the road with them.
Safety Precautions for Motorists
Ultimately, motorists must take responsibility for their own actions on the road. Even if cyclists pay perfect attention to everything that takes place around them, a devastating bicycle accident can occur when motorists do not take adequate safety precautions.
- Avoiding distraction: Drivers should keep their attention on the road.
- Yielding: When bike riders have the right of way, drivers of passenger vehicles should yield to them.
- Looking out for cyclists: Drivers need to pay particular attention when crossing areas that see heavy use by cyclists or when they know they have seen a cyclist on the road.
- Leaving space: Drivers should allow adequate space for bicycle riders, including allowing them a full lane in which to travel. Drivers should not encroach on bicycle lanes at any time.
Adhering to bicycle safety and preventative measures can go a long way toward reducing the risk of an accident in Denver and keeping bike riders safe on the road.
Discuss Bicycle Safety and Preventative Measures With a Denver Attorney
If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation for the damages you suffered, including your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Violations of bicycle safety and preventative measures in Denver can lead to severe injuries, a long road to compensation, and a lot of questions as you deal with the liable driver’s insurance company. The attorneys at Arckey & Steel, Attorneys at Law, can help. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with your claim.
