Bicycle accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries in the United States. This is why it is important to learn how to prevent them from happening. For that, we have come up with a list of the top ten causes of bicycle accidents and what you can do to avoid them.
What are the most common causes of bicycle accidents?
1.) The bicycle itself
Bicycles are of great value nowadays because they can replace a lot of cars and even some middle-class families. However, with its high speed and limited vision, riding on an improper road is very dangerous. In fact, you cannot be sure that there aren’t any holes or bumps underneath your bike before hitting it since bicycles do not have much movement from side to side like other vehicles. Check out the schwinn hybrid bikes.
Another key thing about bikes is that they are most likely to topple and even fall once you hit an area with rough roads/potholes. This is easily the biggest cause of bicycle accidents. Therefore, it would be a wise idea to invest in some heavy-duty road tires if you really want your bike to ride smoothly on long distance trips or any other reason required apart from running errands around town alone!
2.) Riders themselves (or lack) riding skills
This is probably the most prevalent of all causes because even though we want to wear a helmet, it may still be blown off with our face if we are not familiarized with how to do so. This is detrimental in terms of causing injuries as, obviously, wearing a helmet will help prevent head and brain accidents from happening during falls. However, this specific cause can also have other consequences like scrapes or bumps in places where riders don’t expect these happenings inside the bike itself. Or, in other words, as they say, “Heads down and gloves up” always!
In addition to that, it takes riders a long time before they would start riding their bikes on the road if not accustomed to traffic rules/laws such as the right of way or even just knowing how much space needs to be kept between bikes because bicycles are most likely one of the smallest vehicles compared to cars which have ample amount more room for space.
These kinds of rules should be common sense and basic knowledge when learning how to ride a bicycle, but oftentimes these are forgotten or taken lightly, especially if riding on the road by oneself. The point is, it would probably take an inexperienced person a long time until he/she becomes aware of how bicycles really function in society compared to cars, so as mentioned before. Always wear your helmet! The chances for cyclists go up significantly with proper education, which must include being shown how to ride properly and take certain safety precautions. And for anyone who may not know what riding a bicycle actually is, then I would say watch the movie “ONCE,” but this time it won’t be in Hollywood!
3.) Lack of available infrastructures such as existing bike lanes or even separated crosswalks.
Many commuters will agree that the lack of facilities like properly designated bike lanes was created by authorities solely because they are unable to supply an adequate amount of transportation. In the end, they are only concerned with automobiles. In addition, there is also an issue that bicyclists may need to ride on busy roads where traffic has no priority, such as those who travel on busy streets or even major highways like Edsa which because it’s jammed packed anywhere during peak hours, especially when going northbound toward Quezon City area if being headed up towards C-5 Road passing by Baclaran.
What to do in the event of a bicycle accident
For those involved in bicycle accidents, it is important to proceed with caution and take note of many details. Personal injury proceedings require proof of specific facts and the production of accurate documentation in order to be successful. The claim for damages, if not supported by sufficient information, can be rejected, regardless of whether you are in the wrong or right. You need to follow these steps for the best results. Keep reading How to Fix Dragging Brake Pads Easy to Do
Seek first aid
If you have been involved in an accident, make sure you get immediate medical attention and make sure you are at a safe distance from the road. If the injuries are severe, you should call 911 immediately in order to receive adequate treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries can be treated on the spot, while others require an emergency room visit.
Wait for the police
The police report is one of the most useful documents a lawyer can have about a road accident. Unless you are receiving necessary medical treatment, you must wait for the police to arrive at the scene.
Get basic information from involved parties
Collect the general information and insurance data of the parties involved, but otherwise limit discussions about who is right or wrong.
Telling your version to the police
To obtain the best results in mediation or judicial settlement, it is often important that the police report contains the victim’s version of the facts. Your first story will often be given special consideration. Also, small facts and details tend to be forgotten if not told immediately.
Vehicle regulations
According to the Vienna convention, a cycle is a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by the muscular energy of the person riding the vehicle, in particular, by means of pedals or hand cranks. Furthermore, the convention states that a cycle must:
Be equipped with a red device in the rear, and devices ensure that the bicycle can show a white or yellow light in the front and in the rear. In addition to the above “Conditions for the admission of bicycles to international traffic,” some country clubs: such as Germany and the Netherlands, have rules on compulsory equipment to ensure the visibility of cyclists. Some examples are:
› A white reflective device visible from the front;
› Orange pedal reflectors visible from the front and rear.
›two orange reflectors on each wheel arranged at an angle of 180 ° and visible from the side, or a white reflex reflector with a continuous circular strip on the tires or spokes of the front and rear wheels;
› An additional reflective surface on the back.
In some countries, regulations have been drawn up regarding accessories such as the saddle of children’s bicycles. These standards include requirements and recommendations regarding seat attachment, dimensions, footrest.
In some countries, helmets have become mandatory in recent years. In the 15 years, cyclists must wear a helmet in Slovenia and the Czech republic. Cyclists must wear a helmet when traveling outside urban areas, except when going uphill. The definition of precise standards without which the effectiveness of the helmet cannot be guaranteed is a prerequisite for any legislation on helmet use. Some countries have already established such rules.