May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated throughout the Unites States. In 2017, National Bike to Work Week is May 15-19. The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., in Reading, PA, wanted to share a few timely bicycling safety recommendations from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation (“PennDOT”) website, which are excerpted below:
“BICYCLING SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Always wear a helmet. Pennsylvania law requires all cyclists under age 12 to wear an approved bicycle helmet.
- Obey traffic laws.
- Obey stop signs and red lights.
- Never ride against the flow of traffic.
- Be predictable:
- Ride in a straight line with at least one hand on the handlebars.
- Check to be sure your path is clear, and change directions without swerving.
- Use hand signals to indicate when you are turning.
- Make yourself visible:
- Consider wearing bright cycling clothes.
- Put reflectors on your wheels and on the front and rear of your bike.
- At night, a front light and rear reflector are required.
- Maintain your bike:
- Carry a pump, a patch kit and a spare tube.
- Take care of yourself:
- Carry plenty of drinking water and snacks for energy.
- Bring your cellphone in case of an emergency.
For more information on biking safety, visit the League of American Bicyclists Bike Education page.”
(Source: PennDOT website, Travel in PA, Ride a Bike, Bicycle Safety and Pennsylvania Laws, May 8, 2017).
We all need to do our part to improve safety on Pennsylvania’s roadways.
It is best to engage an experienced injury lawyer to help you pursue claims arising out of an accident. Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. has been representing the injured in Reading, Pottsville and throughout Pennsylvania for over 50 years.
From the desk of Andrew F. Fick, Esquire