3 ways cyclists can stay safer when traveling near cars

On Behalf of Mallilo & Grossman Attorneys at Law | Jun 17, 2023 | car accidents |

Some people in New York ride bikes for fun or as a convenient and cost-effective form of on-demand transportation. There are others who ride professionally because they deliver packages. Regardless of why someone is on the road and how often they bike, they very likely want to make their ongoing safety a top priority.

Collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles often have life-altering or tragic consequences for the person on the bicycle. These are the easiest ways for cyclists to reduce their risk of a crash with a larger vehicle.

Careful adherence to traffic laws

There are multiple ways that cyclists may unintentionally violate traffic laws. They may forget to perform hand signals to indicate that they will slow down, stop or turn. They might zip down a one-way street going the wrong way because they don’t think it’s as dangerous as it would be to do the same thing in a car. Cyclists that don’t follow traffic laws increase their risk of a crash and may also complicate their right to compensation after a collision.

Choosing the right path

Technically, cyclists can share any road other than freeways or interstates with other vehicles. Any place there isn’t a posted minimum speed, cyclists have a right to share the road. However, the potential for a collision and also the severity of the collision may be much higher in some areas as opposed to others. Choosing routes with more moderate speed limits, fewer steep inclines and less traffic density may decrease someone’s chance of a wreck.

Addressing the dangers of nighttime and transitional times

When it is dark outside, motorists are far less likely to watch for people on bicycles. The overnight hours also tend to see more drunk drivers, which are a known safety concern for cyclists in New York. The dawn and dusk hours are also times when visibility may be poor and motorists are less likely to watch for cyclists. Being especially proactive about monitoring others in traffic during these times and possibly also investing in reflective or illuminated safety gear can help cyclists stay safe even when their statistical risk may be higher than average. When collisions do occur, cyclists need to know their rights ahead of time so that they can assert themselves when dealing with the driver at fault for the crash or their insurance company.

Being proactive about personal safety can make a big difference for those who regularly ride bicycles in New York. In the event of a collision, being proactive about seeking legal guidance can make a big difference to an accident victim’s future too.

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