How to Protect Yourself When Riding a Bicycle

Automobile crashes involving pedestrians are quite common in our area. A pedestrian accident is one where a car or truck hits someone walking, jogging, or riding a bicycle. These types of automobile accidents can be very serious given how much cars and trucks weigh and the fact that pedestrians, joggers, and bicycle riders are protected in any way from the full weight and force of the vehicle that hits them. No matter how safe a bicyclist is during their ride, there is still a chance that someone driving a car or truck fails to see them and strikes them with their vehicle. The pedestrian accident lawyers at Robert Bates & Associates focus their practice on helping victims of automobile accidents, including those involving pedestrians and bicycle riders.

Johnson City Bicycle Accident

On July 14, 2021, the Johnson City Police Department reported that a man who was riding a bicycle was struck by a car on North Roan Street at Mountcastle Drive at approximately 9:30 p.m. The bicyclist reportedly had been riding his bicycle heading westbound in the crosswalk of North Roan Street alongside Mountcastle Drive into the path of traffic that was traveling south on North Roan Street. Unfortunately, the man suffered life threatening injuries and was taken to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment. The accident is still under investigation and, at present, no one has been charged with any violation of the law.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee is no stranger to pedestrian and bicycle accidents. They happen often on our roads and highways. In the years 2019, 2020, and up to today’s date in 2021, there have been a total of 1,263 pedestrian involved accidents and 152 bicyclist or what the state calls “pedalcyclists”. Also, there were an additional 44 “non-motorist” accidents of various types. Obviously, these types of pedestrian incidents happen all the time and cause serious, substantial personal injuries.

Bicycle Safety Tips

Riding a bicycle is a great hobby and very fun to do. It is also great exercise. But there is always a chance of being struck by a car or truck. There are many things you can do to prevent being struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle:

● Wear a Helmet. Not all states require bicyclists to wear a helmet but you should anyway.

● Check Your Equipment Before You Ride.

● Wear Reflective Materials and make sure there is a front light and a rear light on your bike if you are riding at night. Nighttime is when most accidents occur.

● Keep Your Hands on the Bike.

● Know Your Signals and Use Them.

● Limit Your Distractions. Just like being distracted while driving a vehicle is dangerous, so is being distracted while riding a bicycle.

● Ride As If You’re In a Car. If you follow the rules of the road as a vehicle would then you will reduce the risk of being struck by a vehicle. Many bicycle accidents occur because bike riders show up in an area of the road where drivers do not expect them.

● Ride With the Flow of Traffic.

● Stay Off of the Sidewalks. Even though riding a bicycle on a sidewalk will most likely protect you from being struck by a car or struck, there are still many things that can cause you to crash on a sidewalk, the most common being running into a pedestrian.

● Use Dedicated Bike Lanes. An increasing number of cities and municipalities across the country are embracing dedicated bike infrastructure. Bike lanes of all varieties are popping up across the country. However, protected bike lanes can only keep you safe if you ride in them. Whenever you see a bike lane, make sure to use it.

Robert BatesRobert is a Kingsport trial lawyer who handles car, truck and motorcycle wreck cases across the Tri-Cities. Every client gets his cell number.