My average ride on my road bike starts near the downtown area and I begin to head south toward the Texas A&M Corpus Christi campus. After riding down to the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, I ride back to the beautiful downtown area of Corpus Christi with excellent tailwinds during the summer. The downtown area of Corpus Christi can be quite nice when viewed from your bicycle, and it can prove to be a challenge when dealing with downtown traffic.
In 2012 bicyclists accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities and 2 percent of all crash-related injuries according to a survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). Not only do you have to be cautious of your surroundings but so do drivers. Drivers tend to turn in front of bicyclists, turn on red lights, and drive too fast to name a few. There was a total of 726 fatalities in 2012 and almost 49,000 injuries that occurred. To prevent these statistics from rising here are certain safety tips that every bicyclist should know.
Ride in groups! There are many local groups in Corpus Christi that offer friendly, safe cycling that anyone can join. There are also a number of group rides that one can take advantage of that cater to all skill levels from beginners to amateur racers. Many, if not all of these groups, are termed “no drop rides” where no rider is left behind. There are easily three to four groups that ride in Corpus Christi on a daily basis. These groups vary their routes so that one never gets bored.
Make yourself visible! Making yourself noticeable to drivers is key for allowing them to notice you on the road. Wear bright clothing and use proper lights on your bike such as reflectors. Signal your intentions to others using hand signals and looking over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Wear a helmet! Too many have suffered worse injuries because they didn’t have a helmet on. Regardless of whether you have been cycling for years or if it’s your first day, making sure you have a properly fitted, certified helmet on will help protect you in the case of an accident.
If you have been injured due to the carelessness of another, please feel free to contact one of our attorneys at 361-882-4357 for a free consultation.
