If you are a regular bike rider then you know there are obstacles to keep an eye out for. However, with the number of bike accidents in California increasing, it is a good time to consider if you are keeping an eye out for the right things. Read on to learn about six main obstacles and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation if you are injured in a bike accident.
- Uneven Surfaces
- Painted Lines and Wet Metal
- Railroad Tracks
- Vehicles
Just about any road defect, or some types of roads, can cause uneven surfaces, which are a huge safety issue for bikers. This includes gravel roads, speed bumps, cobblestones, cracks, and potholes. If you are going to ride over one of these areas, rise up from your seat and use your legs and arms as though they were shock absorbers. If possible, ride around these hazards and holes. Thicker tires also ride more easily over these and other obstacles.
If you are driving over painted lines – especially when they are wet – your bike’s tires simply cannot grip them well enough to ride safely. This is also true of wet metal hazards in the road, such as steel plates, sewer grates, and utility hole covers. Avoid these grates by riding further away from the curb if it is safe to do so. Otherwise, slow down and be sure you have more time to break when you are coming up to a stop sign or pedestrian crossing.
Railroad tracks are very common and there is often not much a bike rider can do to avoid having to cross them. Tires can lose traction on the slippery steel, which is why we recommend slowing down and riding slightly off the seat when you cross. Then cross the tracks perpendicularly to prevent issues. You may also choose to get off and walk your bike across railroad tracks.
While the other issues discussed above are serious issues for cyclists, nothing is as hazardous as a motor vehicle. Not only does the data show that a bike rider is more likely to get hit by a car than to get involved in any other type of collision, but it also shows that drivers are more often at fault for these accidents than bike riders are.
If you have been injured in a bike accident in California then you have rights. If you believe someone else was at fault, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. There is no risk to you and if we decide to take your case, we will do so on a contingency basis. Reach out now and let us get started.
