As the weather starts to warm up, you may start looking at your bicycle as an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to get from here to there. While it may not be practical for every trip away from home, your bike can be a great way to exercise while checking tasks off your to-do list.
Staying safe while riding your bike is also an important part of riding that you should consider. In addition to wearing protective gear and observing safety laws, it is also essential to look at the causes of accidents to prepare for potential hazards.
Here’s what you should know about biking accidents in Brooklyn.
Looking at statistics
In 2020, over 2,000 bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles resulted in 2,005 injuries and eight fatalities. The stakes are not quite as high in collisions between bikes and pedestrians. However, in 2020, there were still 73 pedestrian injuries and 16 bicyclist injuries in Brooklyn. The same report also shows dozens of injuries in accidents involving two cyclists.
These statistics demonstrate that there are many opportunities for injury when you are out on your bike.
Staying safe on your bike
The city of New York has made several efforts to make biking safer for both motorists and cyclists by taking measures to widen streets, designate bike lanes and raise awareness for everyone on the road.
You also have a part to play in being safe on your bike. It is essential to exercise safer cycling by taking steps such as:
- Wearing a properly fitted bike helmet
- Wearing brightly colored clothing during all times of day
- Replacing your helmet at proper intervals
- Staying visible to others on the road
- Indicating your direction to nearby motorists, cyclists and pedestrians
When it comes to safety, everyone on the road has an essential part. When motorists, cyclists and pedestrians work together to observe safety guidelines, it increases the chances you can arrive home safely.
