Many people in Alberta think that an accident won’t happen to them and put it to the back of their minds. However, if you want to ride your bicycle this summer, you need to consider that accidents happen often in cycling. But you can prevent the next one, if you simply follow the rules of the road of cyclists.
When a cycling accident occurs, the injuries are most often sustained in the upper and lower extremities. If the accident is more serious, then the face, head, abdomen, and the neck become injured as well. In some cases, abrasions, head injuries, and lacerations can occur at about 47% of the injuries sustained as per the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). The extent of the injuries depends on several factors of the scene.
Cycling accidents are more common than what they need to be these days and every year it seems that the accidents are becoming more severe. Majority of cycling accidents and injuries happen during rush hour in the afternoon. Cycling deaths from bike vs. Vehicle collision will occur on city roads. There are risk factors that can help you to determine when the best time to bicycle would be in order to be safe. They are:
Peak time
Bicycle during a time of day that is not when people are rushing to get home. Avoid the times between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.If you need to be out on your bicycle during this time, be cautious at all times and be aware.
Never wear headphones
Don’t use head-phones on your ear during rush hour or while you are riding through the main street. If you have headphones or ear buds in your ears, you won’t hear any of the city noise including horns blowing to avoid an accident. If you do listen to headphones, only listen to them when you are out of town and you keep the noise on a low level so you can still hear a car horn if they blow.
Stand out in a crowd.
Wear bright colors, not colors that blend in with the landscape. You want vehicles and pedestrians to see you when you are on the bike riding around. If it is dark when you are riding, you will want to wear clothes that are reflective to vehicle headlights so you will always be seen.
When an accident happens, you could possibly lose a lot of time trying to recover from your injuries. You don’t want to be the reason someone has to be rushed to the hospital. Treat your bike ride as you would a vehicle ride. Be cautious and aware at all times, obeying all the signs and know what the rules and regulations are for cycling. If you can prevent even one accident from occurring, you will have a successful trip out. And if you are a victim of the accident, then you can refer to an injury lawyer in Lethbridge or Calgary.