Bicycle Safety
Chicago was recently named one of the ten best cities in the United States for bicycle riding by Bicycling Magazine. More and more people are riding bikes in Illinois for both recreation and commuting to work.
Illinois bike accidents claimed the lives of 27 in 2008 and injured another 3,385. The Illinois Secretary of State's Office make the following recommendations for bicycle safety:
-Always wear a helmet.
-Follow the rules of the road.
-Stay on the right while riding in the street.
-Obey traffic lights and stop signs.
-Stay off busy streets.
-Look both ways in intersections.
-Watch for cars at driveways and alleys.
-Don't carry people on your bike.
-Don't ride between cars.
-Yield for pedestrians.
-Use a headlight when riding at night.
-Stay alert.
BicycleSafe.com recommends several safety tips at hazardous locations where bicyclists and drivers need to use extreme caution:
-Parking lot exits: It is very common for bike riders to get hit by cars that are exiting parking lots. It is recommended that you use a headlight, slow down and ride more to the left
if possible.
-Opening car doors: We have represented several bike riders who have been seriously hurt by opening car doors. Drivers need to use due caution when opening doors and look for bicycles. Bike riders should move to the left, if it is safe to do so, while passing parked cars.
-Crosswalk accidents: Bikers are often hit in or near a crosswalks by a car making a right turn. It is recommended that if you should slow down in the walkways, try to avoid riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, and if you are riding at night you should use a headlight.
-Don't ride the wrong way: Riding the wrong way against traffic is a dangerous way to ride, and against the law in many jurisdictions.
-Red lights: When you stop at a light, don't stop to close in a car's blind spot on the right. You could get hit by the car if it turns right on red.
-Left turns: Cars making a left turn often fail to keep a look out for bike riders. Bicyclists can try to avoid this danger by using headlights at night, not riding on sidewalks, wearing bright clothes and slowing down if you see a left turner.
-Rear end collisions: Being hit from behind on a bicycle can cause serious injuries. Try not to move left without checking for cars behind you, do not swerve in and out of parking lanes, and use your signals and mirrors when moving left.
If you have been injured in a Chicago area bike accident, call us for a free consultation at (312) 924-7575.
Illinois bike accidents claimed the lives of 27 in 2008 and injured another 3,385. The Illinois Secretary of State's Office make the following recommendations for bicycle safety:
-Always wear a helmet.
-Follow the rules of the road.
-Stay on the right while riding in the street.
-Obey traffic lights and stop signs.
-Stay off busy streets.
-Look both ways in intersections.
-Watch for cars at driveways and alleys.
-Don't carry people on your bike.
-Don't ride between cars.
-Yield for pedestrians.
-Use a headlight when riding at night.
-Stay alert.
BicycleSafe.com recommends several safety tips at hazardous locations where bicyclists and drivers need to use extreme caution:
-Parking lot exits: It is very common for bike riders to get hit by cars that are exiting parking lots. It is recommended that you use a headlight, slow down and ride more to the left
if possible.
-Opening car doors: We have represented several bike riders who have been seriously hurt by opening car doors. Drivers need to use due caution when opening doors and look for bicycles. Bike riders should move to the left, if it is safe to do so, while passing parked cars.
-Crosswalk accidents: Bikers are often hit in or near a crosswalks by a car making a right turn. It is recommended that if you should slow down in the walkways, try to avoid riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, and if you are riding at night you should use a headlight.
-Don't ride the wrong way: Riding the wrong way against traffic is a dangerous way to ride, and against the law in many jurisdictions.
-Red lights: When you stop at a light, don't stop to close in a car's blind spot on the right. You could get hit by the car if it turns right on red.
-Left turns: Cars making a left turn often fail to keep a look out for bike riders. Bicyclists can try to avoid this danger by using headlights at night, not riding on sidewalks, wearing bright clothes and slowing down if you see a left turner.
-Rear end collisions: Being hit from behind on a bicycle can cause serious injuries. Try not to move left without checking for cars behind you, do not swerve in and out of parking lanes, and use your signals and mirrors when moving left.
If you have been injured in a Chicago area bike accident, call us for a free consultation at (312) 924-7575.