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Bicycling is a fun way for families to get exercise and spend time together. Like any physical activity it carries some risk.  Bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with the same rights, and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more than half a million collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles occur in the U.S. each year.

Florida Bike Accident Attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. suggests reducing the risks of collisions by following a few simple safety tips:

Wear a Helmet. Helmets reduce the risk of brain injury in a crash by 85%.

Don’t Ride Against Traffic; Go with the Flow . Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow; not against it.

Obey All Traffic Signs and Signals. Obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.

Yield to Traffic When Appropriate.  If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and you are coming from a smaller roadway, you must slow down and look to see if the way is clear before proceeding. This means also yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk.

Be Predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars.

Use Hand Signals. Hand signals tell motorists what you intend to do.

Look out for Road Hazards. Use your eyes and ears. Watch out for obstacles that could make you lose control of your bike. Listen for traffic .

Look Before Turning. When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal before making the turn.

Watch for Parked Vehicles. Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked vehicles, like doors opening or vehicles pulling out.

Almost half of all bicycle crashes occur on driveways and sidewalks. For anyone riding on a sidewalk:

• Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways.
• Stop and look for vehicles at intersections.  Make sure drivers see you before crossing.
• Enter roadways in areas that motorists would expect, such as street corners.
• Bicyclists can alert pedestrians that they are near by saying "excuse me", "passing on your left", or ringing a bicycle bell.  Give pedestrians the right-of-way.

In addition, the AAA pamphlet called Bike Basics¸ The AAA Guide to a Great Ride,  has more information on bicycle riding including:

• Selecting a bike
• Three steps to a good fit
• Choosing a helmet
• Gear to go
• Cycling skills
• Keeping your bike buff
• Mistakes cause mishaps
• Safety and cycling tips

Florida Bike Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.