With hundreds of miles of paved bicycle lanes and mountain biking trails, the Quad Cities is a fantastic place for bicycle enthusiasts. From Credit Island Park in Davenport to the Great River Trail in Moline to Leach Park in Bettendorf, there are so many excellent Quad Cities biking destinations. With the weather warming up and May being National Bike Month, the Quad Cities bicycle accident lawyers at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham want to do their part to keep riders safe. Below are five important safety tips to help keep bicycle riders in your household safe.
Five National Bike Month Safety Tips
In addition to May being National Bike Month, Bike to Work Week is from May 15-21, and Bike to Work Day is May 19. Organizations like The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) use these events to promote awareness of various bicycle safety issues. Our Quad Cities injury attorneys support their efforts and ask you to share these safety tips with your friends and family.
- Wear a Protective Helmet That Fits Well: bicycle safety starts with a good helmet that fits properly. Although Illinois and Iowa do not have statewide bicycle helmet laws, your city may have specific requirements. Regardless of whether helmets are legally required, our Quad Cities bicycle accident attorneys strongly suggest wearing them. A good helmet can make the difference between being relatively unharmed and suffering a life-altering brain injury or catastrophic injury.
- Know the Rules of the Road: all bikers must know and obey all traffic rules. This will help keep them, other bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians safe. Thankfully, Illinois and Iowa make it easy to find local bicycle rules.
- Hydrate Before and During Rides: hydration is an important part of any physical activity, but it’s essential for activities like biking, which can endanger other people. Not drinking water before and during rides can lead to dehydration, which can cause muscle cramps that make you lose control of your bike and crash. In addition, losing control of your bicycle in an area with heavy car or foot traffic can be disastrous.
- Be Sure to Maintain Your Bike: bicycle maintenance is an important safety facet. Ensuring your bike’s tires, brakes, chain, and more work properly will help you avoid accidents. Be sure to give your bike a quick inspection before every ride and a more thorough inspection at least once a month.
- Wear Bright Clothing: whether day or night, you want to do everything possible to maximize your visibility. Wearing bright clothing while biking is a great start, while wearing clothing with reflective strips will take your safety to the next level. Making sure that cars, other bicyclists, and pedestrians can easily see you goes a long way toward preventing accidents.
Contact a Quad Cities Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The Quad Cities injury attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham hope you find these safety tips useful. Please share them with your family and friends in the spirit of National Bike Month. However, it’s important to understand that accidents can happen no matter how safe you are. If you suffer a bicycle accident injury caused by another party, contact us for immediate assistance.
The attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham have more than 120 years of combined experience representing injury victims in Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Whiteside, and Knox counties in Illinois or Scott, Clinton, Muscatine, Cedar, and Jackson counties in Iowa. You can reach our staff by phone at (309) 794-1515 and online through LiveChat or secure contact form. Contact us today, and you’ll find out why Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham is one of the most trusted law firms in the Quad Cities area.