It doesn’t matter if you ride your bicycle to and from work every day or only jump in the saddle on the weekends, it’s critical to wear safety gear to protect you against serious injury in the event of an accident.
Even the safest bicyclists have the potential to be part of an accident, with common causes including:
- Reckless drivers, such as someone who runs a red light
- Opening doors, such as after a driver parks their vehicle on the side of the road
- Unsafe road conditions, including potholes, loose gravel and slick substances
Not only can the right bicycle safety gear protect you in the event of an accident, but it can also help prevent trouble on the road. Here are four pieces of equipment you need:
- Helmet: Choose a bicycle helmet that fits you properly and has received high marks in safety tests. Bicycle helmets are more advanced than ever before, so ditch that old one and choose something that will better protect your head and brain in an accident.
- Lights: It doesn’t matter when you’re cycling, lights on your bicycle are important to your safety. These make it easier for drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists to see you. Furthermore, the right lights on the front of your bicycle allow you to better see the road ahead.
- First-aid kit: It’s not something you wear, but it’s something you should have with you every time you hop on your bicycle. A comprehensive first-aid kit should include gauze, bandages, antibiotic ointment, burn gel, gloves and a biohazard bag.
- Bell: Don’t let anyone tell you a bicycle bell is a thing of the past. This can be helpful in many ways, such as notifying pedestrians that you’re coming up behind them. Today’s bicycle bells are advanced, with many of them able to play a variety of sounds.
With the right bicycle safety gear, you can reduce the potential of an accident as well as the impact on your body should you find yourself in a compromising position.
If you’re injured in a bicycle-car accident, move to safety, call 911 for help and follow the guidance of your medical team. From there, it’s time to contact your insurance company, collect evidence and determine how to best hold the negligent party responsible for your injuries and other damages.
