If one of your resolutions is to stay fit in 2017, bicycling is a simple and inexpensive way to help you meet your goal. Not only does bicycling give you a chance to get some fresh air and enjoy the scenery of the great outdoors, it is also a wonderful form of exercise. Through bicycling, an individual can reduce pain, build strength, increase muscle tone, improve stamina, lose weight, lower the risk of heart attack, and alleviate stress.
Despite these benefits, however, bicycling does have a dangerous side. Bicyclists who share the roads with cars, trucks and other motor vehicles are at risk of suffering injuries in accidents. Fortunately, bicyclists can take steps to help keep them safe. Familiarizing yourself with bicycle safety rules, and the “rules of the road” as covered in the Texas Transportation Code statutes, will go a long way towards helping you avoid sustaining serious injury in a bicycle accident.
10 Important Bicycle Safety Rules
Below are 10 important safety measures cyclists should follow anytime they take their bicycle out for a ride:
The essential rule of bicycle safety is to not do anything you wouldn’t do if you were behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Bicycle Laws in the State of Texas
One of your responsibilities as a bicyclist in the state of Texas is to make yourself aware of the laws pertaining to bicycles. This is important for all bicyclists, regardless of whether they are intending to ride as a way to get to and from work, for pure enjoyment, or as a way to stay fit.
Texas Transportation Code (Title 7, Chapter 551) states:
- Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as a driver operating a motor vehicle.
- A bicyclist can only ride on or astride a bicycle which has a permanent, regular seat attached to its frame.
- Bicycles cannot be used to transport more people than the bicycle is intended to carry.
- Bicyclists must always have at least one hand on the handlebars, although two hands is preferred for safety’s sake. Carrying any object(s) that prevents this from happening is strictly prohibited.
- Bicyclists should try to ride within three feet of the curb. The only exceptions are when a bicyclist is preparing to make a left-hand turn; is attempting to pass another vehicle; is traveling on a one-way road, or some obstacle or hazard prevents the bicyclist from safely riding that close to the curb.
- Bicyclists must always ride in the same direction as other traffic.
- It is against the law for bicyclists to either attach him- or her, or the bicycle, to another vehicle on the road.
- Bicyclists who want to ride during nighttime hours must equip their bicycles with a lamp on the front of the bicycle (capable of emitting a white light visible from at least 500 feet ahead), and either a red reflector or red lamp on the rear of the bicycle.
- Bicycles must be equipped with brakes capable of making the braked wheel skid.
- Bicyclists are required by law to use hand signals to inform other drivers of their intentions to come to a stop or make a turn. To signal you are making a stop, simply extend your left arm out horizontally and angle your forearm vertically downward. A left turn is signaled by extending your left arm horizontally outwards in the direction of your turn, while a right turn is signaled by extending your left upper arm horizontally and angling your forearm vertically upward.
- Even when a bike path or lane exists adjacent to the roadway, bicyclists can still opt to ride in the road so long as they adhere to the state’s bicycle laws and rules of the road.
While the above does cover a majority of the laws that apply to bicyclists, a more in-depth look at bicycle laws can be found in the Texas Transportation Code statutes.
If you or someone you love has sustained an injury in a bicycle accident, contact Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. Our firm has more than 100 years of experience and we are committed to doing all we can to help you pursue the compensation you are rightfully deserve. Call us now to let us help you assess your legal rights.
Sources:
- Texas Department of Transportation: Bicycle Safety and FAQ – Bicycles, Pedestrians and the Law
- Texas Transportation Code: Title 7, Chapter 551. Operation of Bicycles, Mopeds, and Play Vehicles
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
