How Can You Make Yourself More Visible While Biking on Long Beach Roads?
At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, we understand that bicyclists in Long Beach face numerous hazards on the road every day. While road dangers and their own mistakes can cause injury-causing accidents, the most serious harm can come from collisions with motor vehicles. While drivers are obligated to watch out for bicyclists and keep the roads as safe as possible, they often do not even see them until it is too late.
Bicycles are small, fast, and often in places that drivers do not expect them to be. As such, every bicyclist should strive to make themselves as visible as possible while out on the road.
- Lights – Every bike should have a white light attached to the front and a red light attached to the rear. These help nighttime drivers quickly spot you on the road and know which direction you are traveling. Having these on during the day can increase visibility as well.
- Bright Colors – Whatever you wear should stand out from your surroundings rather than blend in. Additionally, a brightly colored bike frame can stand out as well.
- Reflective Tape – Attach reflective tape to your clothes, helmet, and the bike itself. Headlights from vehicles will shine off of the tape and draw attention to your position.
- Proper Position in the Street – Always ride as safely as possible. Use available bike lanes and ride with traffic, not against it. Also, do not ride on sidewalks. While you may be out of traffic, drivers may not spot you when you enter intersections or when they are exiting driveways.
- Hand Signals – Use hand signals to indicate your actions. Left arm sticking out to the left means turning left. Arm bent at the elbow and pointing straight up with the thumb pointed out (to the right) is a right turn. Bent and pointing down means stopping.
- Eye Contact – Make sure that drivers see you before turning in front of them or otherwise interacting with their vehicle. Make eye contact in ensure that they are aware of your presence.
Even the safest cyclist can still be injured by someone else’s reckless actions and after such an experience it is important to have someone on your side to fight for your rights. If you have been the victim of a bicycle injury accident, call Long Beach injured bicyclist lawyer Joseph H. Low at (888) 454-5569. Through a free consultation with our legal team , you can better understand your rights and begin the search for fair compensation for your losses.