Many people choose to ride a bicycle around New York City. One Brooklyn bicyclist was in a fatal hit-and-run December 14th. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance for bicyclists and motorists to safely share the road to avoid other collisions in the future.
Bicyclists need to do their part to stay safe on New York roadways, especially during the winter when visibility decreases earlier. The following safety tips will help tremendously in reducing the number of bicycle-related injuries in the city.
Wear visible clothing
Even if you will ride your bike in the middle of the day, you want to be as visible as possible. This includes wearing brightly colored clothing. You should also have lights and reflectors on your bicycle. A rear flasher is particularly important, especially if you ride your bike at night.
Know your route in advance
You may not be able to plan for every individual factor. However, you can plan a general route, so there are no surprises. Stay up-to-date on whether construction is occurring on your usual route. If there will be construction, then you need to find an alternate path you are familiar with.
Ride with friends
You should plan bicycle routes with a group of your friends. When you ride together in a large pack, motorists are more likely to give you room and notice you are there. If you bike as part of your commute, see if any of your coworkers want to ride with you.
Maintain your bicycle
Begin 2019 with a properly maintained bike. You do not want a component breaking down in the middle of a ride. This could result in you losing control and colliding with a vehicle. Your bike is more likely to sustain damage during the winter due to the snow and ice on the roads damaging the wheels and chains.