Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
With the summer season, residents and visitors to the area can enjoy some cycling fun. With the summer season, we should also use this time to review bicycling safety. It’s a move that could end up saving lives — especially young ones.
Our Cape Coral bicycle accident lawyers understand that there were close to 150 bicyclists killed in the state of Florida in 2011. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) we were the most dangerous state in the U.S. for these kinds of accidents.
To help reduce the risks of these accidents for you and your loved ones, consider the following:
-Have your bicycle and safety gear checked. You can do this by visiting almost any bicycle shop. Make sure you’ve got a helmet that meets your needs. Consider allowing your child to help pick out their safety gear. They might be more enthused to wear it it if they have a chance to be a part of the selection. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your bicycle is equipped with reflectors and lights to help motorists and other bicyclists to see you out there.
-Always look over your child’s bicycle before use. Make sure that everything is working properly and that it’s still a good size for their weight and height. You never want them to use a bike that isn’t meant for them.
-Talk with everyone (especially children) about the importance of safe-riding habits. Make sure everyone knows the tricks and the tools to avoiding an accident.
-Everyone should ride together. Review the areas that are safe and are meant for riding. Avoid roadways with fast-moving traffic and try to avoid crossing streets. If you have to, make sure that it’s done in an area with good intersections, preferably with lights and crosswalks.
-Set the rules for your youngest riders. Make sure there is a curfew. Bicycle accidents are more likely to happen when the sun sets. Make sure everyone knows to wear a helmet at all times, keep two hands on the handlebars and make sure that everyone knows where they’re allowed to ride. It’s also not a bad idea to write down these rules and to make sure that the consequences are laid out for breaking these rules.
You also want to make sure that other parents are on the same page. Make sure that these rules apply throughout the community. It’s not only going to help make sure that your child is safe, but the rest of the bicyclists are, too.
And remember, these rules aren’t only for the kids. In 2011, the average age of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes was 43. During the past 10 years, there has been a steady increase in the average age of bicyclists killed and injured.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-Dial-BLS.
More Blog Entries:
Lee County Officials Target Bicycle Safety, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, May 13, 2013
Southwest Florida Bicycle Safety in Focus this May, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, May 6, 2013
