Tips for Biking Safely Around St. Louis

St. Louis is one of the fastest growing business hubs in the Midwest. The population in the city and its suburbs has increased substantially in the last decade. Increased population means more commuters—and more people are choosing to ride bikes. St. Louis has nearly 80 miles of dedicated bike lanes.

Bicycle accidents often involve serious injuries. Wearing a helmet is more common today than ever before. The average age of an injured bike rider in St. Louis is 29 years old. The average age of a rider killed in a bike accident in the city is 39.

Missouri state law requires bike riders to obey the same rules of the road as motor vehicle drivers. In turn, motorists must treat bicycles the same way they would any other vehicle on the road. Because of a lack of attention while sharing the road, motor vehicle drivers often run into bikes.

While you can’t control other drivers on the road, bike riders in St. Louis can take steps to be prepared for dangers. Here are some helpful tips to avoid serious injuries:

• Always wear a helmet
• Obey traffic rules and signs
• Pay attention to everything around you on the road
• Don’t listen to music while bicycling
• Always ride in the same direction as the traffic
• Always keep your hands ready to brake in case of an emergency
• Be ready to get off the road quickly to avoid cars
• Don’t ride at night unless you have to
• Don’t wear dark colored clothes when riding (at night and during the day)
• Check your breaks and lights to make sure they’re working
• Make sure your bike has lights and reflectors
• Don’t ever ride on sidewalks (you can be dangerous to pedestrians)

Bike injuries happen every day in big cities across the United States. It can happen to you, no matter how safe you are. Contact an experienced injury attorney if you are in a bike accident caused by someone else’s dangerous driving.

Our experienced St. Louis bicycle accident lawyers are ready to help make sure your rights are protected. Contact Page Law at (800) 227-2727.