Keep Yourself Safe And Avoid A Connecticut Bike Accident With These Tips

While the winter months are not your typical time to be headed out on your bike, this year may be a little different.   Even in cold temperatures more and more people are out riding bikes than ever before due to having limited indoor options.  Getting out and about is a necessity for most in 2021.  

This new found interest in biking in the winter months has the potential of increasing the number of Connecticut bike accidents this year over previous years.  With this in mind the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided some tips for safely riding a bike, no matter the time of year.

• Always drive in the same direction as the traffic, “in the flow.”
• Look ahead for on-coming hazards like potholes, toys, or other things that may cause you to have to make sudden changes in your path.
• Assume drivers and other persons you’re coming in contact with do not see you
• Make sure you are obeying all street signs and lights
• Avoid all distractions.  You should not be texting, listening to music, making phone calls while riding your bike.

Riding your bike in the winter is not much different then riding your bike in the summertime.  The one major difference is that there may be more hazards on the road.  Likely there will be more potholes and in some instances snow banks to maneuver around.  The other thing to be aware of is that you will be riding with heavier clothing on which can become a hazard for you on your actual bike so you will want to make sure that all zippers and strings are tucked in and out of the way of your bike’s gears and wheels to avoid any accidents that may occur as a result of your clothing getting tangled.

If you’re heading out for a bike ride this winter, you will feel refreshed and energized.  Just make sure that you are taking the necessary precautions that will keep you safe on the road.

Happy biking!