Any activity that takes place on streets with fast-moving vehicles requires a certain degree of caution, but bicyclists face increased danger owing to the high speeds at which they travel. Also, many bicyclists enter the flow of traffic, so they experience potential hazards during merging and turning, when motorists may not notice them. For information about bike safety regulations specific to your area, contact your local department of motor vehicles.
Helmets
As of June 2010, 20 states and the District of Columbia have regulations concerning the use of bicycle helmets, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Most of these laws require children, but not adults, to wear bicycle helmets. Bicyclists of all ages benefit from wearing helmets, however, which help prevent serious injuries in the event of a fall or accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following bicycle helmet tips: Your helmet should fit snugly enough so that it cannot shift from side to side. Some helmets come with sizing pads that allow you to customize the fit if necessary. Wear the helmet so that its brim rests one or two finger widths above your eyebrows. Buckle it securely according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Replace your helmet if it is damaged or no longer fits.
Traffic Laws
Most states require bicyclists to follow the main rules of the road. For example, the state of California requires bicyclists to obey all signs and signals, such as stop, yield and traffic signals. Other typical regulations require bicyclists to signal turns so that motorists know where the bicyclist is headed, carry identification, ride in single file on busy or narrow streets, follow the direction of the traffic flow and ride near the edge of the road to make it easier for vehicles to pass. Following these regulations helps prevent accidents and confusion on the roadways.
Visibility Requirements
Some states require bicyclists to have reflecting devices or lights mounted on bicycles to increase visibility at night. For example, the state of California requires nighttime bicyclists to have a white-light lamp mounted on the front of the bike. The lamp must be bright enough to see 300 feet away. Also, bikes must have reflectors, both on the rear of the bike and on the bottom of each pedal. Contact your local government to determine whether similar safety regulations apply in your area. But even if they do not, use lights and reflectors while biking at night to maximize your visibility and minimize accidents.
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