Now that school is out for the summer, bike safety becomes increasingly important for both children and the drivers that share the road with them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s traffic safety report for 2011, 677 bicyclists were killed and an additional 48,000 were injured in traffic crashes. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 accounted for nine percent of the bicyclists killed in traffic crashes.
For parents, these statistics are understandably alarming. If your kids are old enough to ride unsupervised, it is important to make sure that they understand how to stay safe.
Below are some tips for bike riders of all ages:
- Always wear a helmet. In Florida, children under the age of 16 riding a bike or as a passenger on a bike are required by law to wear a helmet.
- Make sure your helmet fits properly and is level on the head. It should not be tilted back on the crown or pulled low over the forehead.
- Before taking your bike out for a ride, make sure it is in good working order and properly adjusted.
- Wear the proper clothing to help make sure that motorists and pedestrians can see you easily. Reflectors on you and your bike can help make you more visible.
- Ride on marked paths and safe areas whenever possible. When riding your bike on the street, always go in the same direction as car traffic. Stay alert for vehicles, pedestrians, and potential dangers like potholes or debris.
- Never ride with another person on the handlebars. Keep at least one hand on the bike's handlebars at all times.
- Know and use the proper hand signals for bike riding.
The Dellutri Law Group is focused on making bad situations better and putting lives back together. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Port Charlotte accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your legal options, contact our experienced Port Charlotte injury attorneys for a free consultation.
