Riding bikes is an activity most of us take to as kids. Except for the checking and filling of tires, bikes require rare, low-level maintenance.

This means transportation is virtually free, with your fuel supply reliant completely on your own physical effort.

The health benefits associated with riding your bike are also far too good to ignore, for all ages. This includes an excellent way to get cardio exercise, burn calories and fat, strengthen bones, reduce stress, and so much more.

Motorists Are Often Irritated by Bicycle Enthusiasts

The sad truth though is that not everyone may be so happy to see you sharing the roadways with them. Riding on paths and in bike lanes can be challenging enough due to foot traffic, other bicyclists, and more.

When you are actually sharing lanes with cars though, many may become exasperated due to a perceived lack of speed. B

icycles are considered to be vehicles, and they have just as much right to be riding on the roadways. Whether you are a bicyclist or a motorist, you must share the road, and everyone must follow the same traffic rules.

Fatalities Rise at Alarming Rates in the US and Florida

As traffic fatalities continue to rise though—and this includes bicyclists (as well as pedestrians) too, extra precautions obviously need to be taken to protect those who are even more vulnerable in traffic due to the lack of protection when struck by a car weighing around 4,000 pounds.

Bicyclists must be properly educated on all necessary hand signals, as well as understand all traffic rules—and this is particularly important for younger cyclists.

It is also critical for those riding their bikes in traffic to be well-practiced at doing so. If you haven’t ridden a bike much—build up your skills elsewhere before heading into traffic, a practice which even the most experienced cyclists can find stressful and intimidating.

Always Ride on the Defense

Safety measures such as added visibility should be taken, as well as making sure you make eye contact with other drivers who may be turning at an intersection. Ride defensively, especially in areas where motorists are turning into crosswalk areas.

They often forget to look for bicyclists and may not have properly reduced speed either. Bicyclists in traffic, in line with following all the same rules, must also go with the flow of traffic.

In protecting yourself and taking a defensive stance, you should always be watching the motorists and oncoming traffic: make sure you are not too close to the side of the road where you can easily be forced out—and avoid getting into the blind spots of those driving cars.

Contact Us for Help!

If you or your child has been injured in a bicycling accident due to the negligence of others, contact the attorneys at Heintz Law.

We’ve helped victims from Bradenton, Sarasota, and all over Florida get compensation for their damages and medical expenses after accidents. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!

All blogs are written on behalf of Heintz Law for informational purposes. These articles should not, however, be considered legal advice, or in any way responsible for creating an attorney/client relationship.