As the clocks ‘spring forward’ on Sunday the 26th of March this year, if you were considering dusting off your bicycle and taking it for a ride, you will not be alone.
Cyclist traffic tends to increase in the summer months thanks to the brighter mornings and evenings, allowing more opportunity for keen riders to get out for some exercise. Combining this with the increase of children on bicycles during the summer holidays, it is perhaps not surprising that twice as many cyclist fatalities are recorded in the summer months, compared to the winter months.
Bicycle accidents are not to be taken lightly. Some of the common injuries suffered include: whiplash, head injuries, lacerations and various other physical and psychological injuries. These injuries can also have a knock on financial affect, as you may have to pay to repair equipment and take time off from your employment.
So how can you avoid any ‘fall backs’ out on the road this spring and summer? Here are our five top tips for cyclists to protect themselves:-
1. Avoid the busy times where possible
According to UK Government Statistics, the most common times for accidents to occur are:-
- between 7am to 10am on weekdays
- between 10am to 12pm on weekends
These periods are most likely due to the increases in traffic while people commute. Another great excuse for a lie in at the weekend!
2. Plan your route
Planning our route for riding is important in mitigating the risks towards us.
56% of pedal cycle fatalities occurred on rural roads and almost 66% of cyclists that were seriously injured were involved in accidents at, or near, a junction or roundabout.
It is worth taking the time to plan your route, as this will give you the opportunity to minimise cycling in high risk areas.
A suggestion may be to use a planner cycling app that takes into account traffic levels when planning a route.
3. Plan for the ‘British Summer’
We are all looking forward to the glorious sunshine that the summer will absolutely bring (hopefully for more than a day or two!), however, in the UK, the weather can still produce hazardous conditions for cyclists and all other types of traffic. Even the sunshine can brings its own visibility issues, for cyclists and drivers alike. So check the weather forecast before saddling up, and make sure you are wearing suitable clothing and equipment, such as; high quality helmet, high visibility clothing, multiple layers and sunglasses to name a few.
4. Know your rights on the road
To paraphrase Saul Goodman “did you know that you have rights? The [Highway Code] says you do…”. There are specific rights, rules and benefits that cyclists have as road users. Some things to note include:
- You can cycle in the centre of the lane, to make yourself as visible as possible. This is particularly advised when in slow moving traffic and when approaching a junction.
- Cycling two abreast; the Highway Code actively encourages this, as it can be safer to do so than riding in single file. The Highway Code does, however, state that cyclists should be aware of drivers behind them and move into single file to allow for overtaking where necessary.
- Other traffic must give cyclists at least as much room as you would give a car when overtaking (1.5 metres). The police have been carrying out ‘Operation Close Pass’ for a number of years, an initiative to educate motorists on safe passing distances.
5. Take it easy and enjoy
The summer is a brilliant opportunity to get out on our bicycles, however, the heat can be tough on your body. Make sure to be mindful of the pace you are riding at and take regular breaks when needed. This will aid you in having a safe and enjoyable ride.
If you have any questions about making a personal injury claim, please contact our specialist Personal Injury team on 0800 731 8434.
