Adult Bike Safety Tips Plus Six Rules of the Road

As American ridership continues to grow – we have seen an influx especially in Charleston – more accidents are also occurring. According to the League of American Bicyclists, there are more than 57 million cyclists out there at any given time riding across our nation’s roads and trails.

While fatalities have decreased in cyclists younger than 20, deaths are increasing for men older than 20. Visibility, preparation, and location are three keys to riding safely.

Did You Know?

• In 2011, 675 bicyclists were killed in crashes, a 10 percent increase from 2010. Overall, bike injuries and deaths are down for all age groups since 1975 except for men older than age 20. (Source: Fatality Facts, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Over the past decade, roughly 90 percent of cyclists killed in road accidents were not wearing helmets. Despite this fact, only 20 to 25 percent of all cyclists wear bike helmets. (Source: The Facts, Helmets on Heads)
• More children go to hospital emergency departments for bicycle-related crashes than for any other sport. (Source: Prevent Bicycle Crashes: Parents and Caregivers (download), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Even with all of these statistics, many will choose to forego safety recommendations. But, others will choose to take precautionary steps.

Six Rules of the Road

• Follow the law.
• Be predictable.
• Be conspicuous.
• Think ahead.
• Ride ready with a helmet.
• Keep your cool.

Read more about these wonderful tips as well other keys to safe riding in our latest email newsletter. And, if you’d like to subscribe to receive these monthly, we invite you to do so here.

Are you an active rider? Do you follow these tips and rules? Tell us what you think below.