According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, pedestrian fatalities, including bicyclist fatalities, comprise about 11 percent of all traffic-related deaths each year, totaling approximately 4,600 pedestrian deaths. Consider performing the following to help you avoid injuries while bicycling: Practice defensive cycling, let yourself be seen and wear a helmet.
Practice Defensive Cycling
According to BicycleSafe, the following strategies typically are helpful in reducing the number of accidents in which you're involved: Using quieter streets, signaling your intentions, curbing your use of headphones and avoiding cell phone communication while bicycling. When you bicycle on quieter streets, where the traffic volume and the speed at which vehicles are moving is slower, you significantly reduce your risk of being injured in a traffic-related accident. In many U.S. cities, it's possible to travel to and from your destination using bicycle paths or quieter streets. Signaling your intention is important because it helps motorists anticipate your future actions. Many bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles result from drivers being caught off guard by cyclists' sudden, unanticipated turns or lane changes. Avoiding the use of headphones and cell phones when cycling reduces your distractions and allows you to concentrate on the driving behavior of nearby motorists.
Use Bicycle Lights and Wear Reflective Clothing
Two simple ways to help motorists see you while you're on your bicycle are using bicycle lights and wearing clothing bearing reflective strips. Consider using both front- and rear-mounted LED lights. Many LED bicycle lights have a long lifespan, come with a variety of built-in settings and typically possess a strobe function that is particularly helpful in alerting approaching traffic of your presence on the roadway. Bicycle lights are a simple and cost-effective way to improve your visibility. Some bicyclists, especially cycle commuters, also wear reflective clothing or clothing bearing reflective strips to further improve their visibility to nearby motorists. Your use of reflective clothing is not mandated by state law, but it's another simple and cost-effective method to catch approaching drivers' attention.
Wear a Bicycle Helmet
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, wearing a bicycle helmet is an effective way to prevent up to 88 percent of serious brain injuries. However, most children and adolescents do not wear a helmet every time they ride a bicycle. The Mayo Clinic states that wearing a helmet while cycling is one of the most effective ways you can reduce your likelihood of suffering a debilitating head injury while cycling. But simply wearing a bicycle helmet may not be enough to protect your head from injury; your helmet should also be the appropriate size for your head. Consider the following criteria when shopping for a safe and effective helmet for yourself and your family: Your helmet fits you snugly without much wiggle room from side to side or front to back, has a smooth and rounded surface on the outside with no protruding pieces that could get snagged during a crash and bears a sticker on its inside that certifies that it has met the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standard.
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