Cyclists know well how dangerous it can feel to share the road with drivers. They often do not give cyclists enough space, fail to see bikes even when they have the right of way and make all sorts of other errors. One small mistake may not injure someone in a car at all, but it could leave the cyclist with catastrophic injuries. How can they stay safe?
It starts with always following the rules of the road. For instance, they need to ride with traffic. Accidents from passing cars are actually rather uncommon, and the risk is more at intersections. Cyclists also need to follow traffic signals and should learn what hand signals to use to tell drivers when they intend to turn or change lanes.
Visibility is also a huge issue, as many drivers say they never saw the cyclist after getting into an accident. Riders are encouraged to use headlights, wear bright colors, put reflectors on their bikes and attempt to ride during the day when possible. All of this makes it easier for drivers to see them and it can increase the bubble of safety around the bike.
Finally, riders should invest in proper safety gear, like a helmet. In the event of an accident, a helmet could be all that stands between them and a serious brain injury.
Of course, while this advice can help, we all know that accidents can and do happen. Cyclists still get injured even when they do everything right. In those cases, it is important for them to know what options they have to seek out financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.