With rising gas prices, riding your bike doesn’t sound like a bad idea. You burn calories and save gas and money at the same time. Who wouldn’t like that? However, riding your bike on the same road with cars, trucks, SUVs, and semis can cause you to feel a little vulnerable, and it can lead to accidents, injuries, and possibly even death. There are some safety precautions you could heed to help you avoid and to help protect you against such unexpected mishaps.
Wear a Helmet
Bikes offer no protection in case of a crash, so you need to wear your protection. Wearing your helmet may save your life.
Use Hand Signals
To let the other vehicles on the road know where you are planning to go, use hand signals.
Remain Vigilant
Beware of the traffic around you, and ride defensively. Never assume that all drivers see your hand signals or will yield for you.
Inspect Your Brakes
Always check your brakes so that you are prepared to stop. Also remember that a truck requires more space to stop than you do on your bike.
Go with the Flow… of Traffic
Ride on the right side with the flow of traffic.
Steer Clear of the No-Zone
Beware of riding too closely to a large truck. Large trucks have blind spots in the front, back and on the sides, which make it difficult for the driver to see around them.
Bikes offer no protection in case of a crash, so you need to wear your protection. Wearing your helmet may save your life.To let the other vehicles on the road know where you are planning to go, use hand signals.Beware of the traffic around you, and ride defensively. Never assume that all drivers see your hand signals or will yield for you. Always check your brakes so that you are prepared to stop. Also remember that a truck requires more space to stop than you do on your bike. Ride on the right side with the flow of traffic. Beware of riding too closely to a large truck. Large trucks have blind spots in the front, back and on the sides, which make it difficult for the driver to see around them.
Hopefully these tips, though they may be common sense, will help remind you how to stay safe on the road with other vehicles. For more information on how to stay safe on the road, check out the following website: http://www.flhsmv.gov/SafetyTips/ShareRoad.htm.
Westgate-Jones Insurance Agency ~ 352-787-7548 ~ www.westgatejonesinsurance.com