With over 200 miles of buffered and protected on-street shared bike lanes– plus its numerous off-street trails – it is not a surprise why Chicago has a reputation for being one of best big cities in the US for cycling. The local government has made sure to invest in both infrastructure and education, making safety on the road the topmost priority and minimizing the need for an accident attorney in Chicago.
Nevertheless, statistics say that accidents involving cyclists still occur in the city in spite of the local government’s efforts. The five-year average of bike fatalities in the city stays at 6.2. This is a far cry from the Vision Zero goal of removing all cycling deaths by 2026.
Of course, the responsibility does not squarely fall on the local government alone. Urban cyclists should also take the necessary precautions to secure their safety on the road. If you enjoy biking on the wide streets of Chicago, take note of the tips below. They may just save a life, yours included.
Safety Tips
- Get the right safety equipment
Visibility to other motorists is one of a cyclist’s biggest concerns. Especially at night, in inclement weather, or amidst bad traffic. Thus, place a bike flag at the rear of your bike, put reflective stickers on strategic parts, and most importantly, install actual lamps. Also, make sure to have a working horn. A loud sound can grab attention fast enough to prevent an accident from occurring at the last second.
- Wear the right attire
Helmets are generally not required in Illinois. However, if you are biking in areas with heavy traffic like many parts of Chicago, it is advisable to wear a helmet to decrease the chances of a major injury in case you hit your head during a fall. Aside from a helmet, a pair of gloves is also a good item to wear so that you can have a stronger grip on the handlebars of your bike. At night, wear reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to motorists. If you do not have such clothing, sticking bits of reflective tape on your attire is the next best thing to do.
- Forego the headphones
Although music serves as great entertainment, it also serves as a great distraction when you are cycling on an on-street lane. You will not hear traffic coming your way, or honks warning you to stop. Keep both eyes and ears on the road. Wear your headphones again only when you are back on an off-street trail.
- Stay on guard even when you are on a bike lane
Bike lanes are not safe zones. They are just another section of the road, so cars can still accidentally merge into them. If you have your guard down, these cars can hit you as well. Another thing to think about is that bike lanes are close to car doors. Many cyclists in Chicago have crashed into open car doors, so be sure to keep an eye out for opening car doors.
- Take up the center of the lane
It is easy for motorists to fail to spot cyclists, so you should take up central position in your lane to maximize visibility. This is particularly helpful when you are navigating intersections or T-junctions. Drivers of large vehicles are less likely to spot you. So, doing everything you can to make them see you can spell the difference between safety and injury.
Keep an Accident Attorney in Chicago in Your Contacts List
No matter how careful you are, accidents can still occur because of other people’s negligence. If you find yourself hurt by someone else’s carelessness, call a lawyer right after you get emergency medical help (in case you need it). A lawyer specializing in personal injury cases will help you get the compensation you deserve.
We at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys can provide you an accident attorney in Chicago for free. You will not have to pay for consultations because we do not ask for a fee unless we win the case. Given our arrangement, we work hard to win cases because we do not collect if our clients do not get paid.
For more information on our services, call us at 844-977-1900. Our office hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but we are available 24/7 to answer your calls. We also have a LiveChat available on our website. Thus, rest assured help is always within reach whenever you need it.