Bicycle Safety: Avoid Truck Accidents in New York City

Bicycle Safety: Avoid Truck Accidents in New York City

Cycling is really a great way to get around in New York City. It’s affordable, healthy, efficient and environmentally sound. Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous given the amount of traffic on our city streets. 

So far this year, 19 people have lost their lives in biking accidents, and most of these accidents involved commercial trucks.

There are ways for bicyclists to help minimize the risk of an accident occurring.

1. Don’t weave in and out of traffic. While it is tempting to weave in and out of traffic in order to avoid traffic it also makes it harder for drivers on the road to see you and increases your risk of accident.  It is tempting when you are on a bicycle to try to avoid stalled traffic by going in and out of lanes, or even jumping onto the sidewalk. Unfortunately, when you do this, you are making it more difficult for drivers to see you.

1. Don’t Wear Earphones. We get it.  Traffic is loud and unpleasant, and it’s just so much nicer to listen to music. But when you can’t hear the traffic, you also can’t hear the truck approaching you, and he may not be able to stop his vehicle as quickly as you can stop your bicycle. Stay alert and stay safe.

1. Stop at all red lights and stop signs. Before you enter an intersection, make sure that you have the green light. Look both ways, and don’t “roll out” into the intersection because you expect that light to turn.  Accidents happen when cyclist aren’t cautious.

1. Light up at night. Ensure that drivers on the road can see you.  Make sure you wear reflective gear, light colored clothing and make certain that your bicycle is equipped with reflective lighting. 

1. Wear a helmet. New York law requires children age 13 or younger to wear them, but they are a very good idea for everyone.  Head injuries can be catastrophic, and a helmet provides protection at a very small cost.

1. Stay in the bike lane. To help maintain predictability of motion, it is important to bike only in the designated bike lanes. If necessary, you can map your route ahead of time by looking up the location of local bike lanes.

Unfortunately, accidents happen to even the most careful bicyclists. If you or a loved one are injured in a bicycling accident, please call us to learn your rights. Our dedicated team of experienced bicycle injury lawyers will do everything that they can to help.