Bicycles are part of our childhood memories. There are vivid moments
from the time you first saw your new bike up to the time you are
learning your first rides on the bike with your family cheering you on.
From playing around, exercising or making new friends, bicycles always
have been a part of our lives. However, don’t forget that aside from
fond memories, we also have memories of getting hurt by bike accidents.
Almost everybody who rode a bike has been involved in one form of
bicycle accident or another.
Whether you are an adult bicycle enthusiast or you have young ones who
are fond of riding bikes, the single most common protection for bike
riders in case of accident is wearing a helmet. Elbow and knee pads are
great also but head injuries and brain injuries are more serious
injuries than broken bones or bruised skin. Thousands of children are
treated each year for bicycle accidents. Also, it is reported that 36
percent of bicycle versus car accidents involved children who are under
14 years old.
Although there are helmets and protective gears to help you avoid
sustaining serious injuries from bicycle accidents, it is still a
better precaution to avoid getting hit by a car. There are simple ways
in order to prevent or minimize your chances of getting hit by a car
and having that bicycle ouch memories.
One way to prevent accident is to get a headlight or put reflectors on
your bike. Even during the day, bicycles are less visible because of
the small frame of the bike. Drivers of automobiles are more wary of
other cars on the road. Reflectors and headlights will make you more
visible to other motorists.
Another way is to have a horn and honk it. Honking your horn will
notify pedestrians and cars of your presence. Also, do not drive fast,
swerving everywhere. It is hard enough for cars to see you even when
you are traveling alongside cars. It is more difficult to spot you if
you just dart in and out of lanes.
In the end, always put in mind that you are invisible to traffic. So
long as you think that everybody can’t see you and will bump you
unintentionally, your defensive driving to avoid every possible
instance of an accident could just save you and others from a lot of
harm.
