Bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with most of the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles (However, bicycles in crosswalks and sidewalks are legally pedestrians.). They are not toys. When you are on a bicycle you must follow the rules of the road. When bicycles and automobiles collide, the automobile generally comes out of the incident better than the bicycles.
If your child is starting to ride a bicycle, your responsibility does not end when he is skillfully peddling down the street. It is your responsibility to teach her the basic laws of staying safe in traffic. Here are some tips:
- Always wear a helmet. Among a majority of bicycle fatalities, the most serious injuries are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet.
- Be Visible. Wear bright colors during the day and use a flashing bike light at night. Look, Signal, Look again. Use the correct hand signals to let automobile drivers know which direction you are intending to travel. Keep you eyes on the nearest automobiles; don't assume they see you and will stop.
- Stay Alert. Keep a lookout for obstacles in your path. Especially be mindful of storm water grates along the side of roads and sidewalks.
- Go with the flow of traffic. Do not go the opposite direction on a one-way street; do not ride against traffic.
- Ride predictably. Do not weave in and out of traffic. Be aware of the traffic around you and do not pull in front of it without warning.
- Be alert. Do not use ear buds or earphones to listen to music or talk on your cell phone while pedaling. Obey all traffic laws and lights. Know the traffic laws as they apply to bicycles. Bicycle laws apply to you just as stringently as they apply to automobiles.
- Be especially careful at intersections. A majority of vehicle accidents occur at intersections and fault will typically be based on who had the right-of-way.
- Educate yourself on defensive bicycle riding. A compact 46-page tutorial can be purchased as a booklet or as an online version at http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/index.htm.
Jay L. Ciulla is a Phoenix, Arizona attorney who helps people with bicycle accidents, personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call 602 495 0053 for a free consultation.