PennDOT Provides Bicycling Safety Tips as Spring Arrives

With Spring now here and with winter blasts behind us, Pennsylvanians are gearing up to hit the streets and roads on their bikes in communities throughout Pennsylvania.  As a public service, the personal injury lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., want to share important information about bicycle safety from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

(Source:  http://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/RideaBike/Pages/Bicycle-Safety-and-Pennsylvania-Laws.aspx).

According to PennDot, the most important thing for a bicyclist to keep in mind when riding a bike is that you will in all likelihood share the road with motor vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles.  To avoid being the victim of a crash with another vehicle, PennDOT suggests the following:

  • Wear a helmet at all times. Children under 12 years of age are required by law to wear an approved bike helmet.
  • Comply with all traffic laws.
  • Stop at every stop sign and at every red light.
  • Ride with the flow of traffic and never against it.
  • Be predictable:
    • Never take both hands off of the handlebars while riding and make sure to proceed straight while riding.
    • Make sure the road ahead of you is clear, and do not swerve when you change directions.
    • Use hand signals to let drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians know when you are going to turn.
  • Make yourself be seen:
    • Bright cycling clothes can be seen better by car drivers.
    • Make sure your bike has reflectors on both wheels and also on the front and back of the bike.
    • A front light and rear reflector are mandated for nighttime driving.
  • Proper maintenance of your bike is important:
    • It is advisable to have a pump, a patch kit and a spare tube while riding.
  • Take care of your body:
    • Bring sufficient drinking water and snacks for energy.
    • In the event of an emergency, a cellphone can come in handy.

The recommendations listed above are equally applicable to bicycle enthusiasts and those out with their family for a causal ride around the neighborhood.

The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., are concerned for the safety of bicyclists and motorists traveling on the streets and roads in Reading, Berks County, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, and throughout Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.  The injury lawyers near Philadelphia serve auto, truck and motorcycle accident victims and their families in claims and cases involving serious injury and death caused by the negligence of others.  The firm also handles workers’ comp and medical malpractice cases.

From the desk of Adam K. Levin, Esquire.

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