At college, one of the easiest ways to get around may be to use your bicycle. You can ride it around the campus, and you can take it to local destinations quickly and easily.
Some colleges don’t allow first- and second-year students to bring vehicles, so bikes have to be used. Other times, they encourage students to use bikes to get around a large campus instead of driving. In any case, there is a risk of bike accidents that you should know about, so you can take steps to avoid them.
Using your bike to get around? Watch out for vehicles
Bike accidents often happen when drivers aren’t paying attention. They may not stop at an intersection or might be looking away from the road when they get into a crash.
In other cases, a driver might try to go around a cyclist without giving them enough space and end up bumping them. In another situation, a cyclist might end up in a dooring accident when a driver opens their door into their lane.
As a cyclist, it’s not only your responsibility to watch out for these dangerous circumstances. Drivers should take responsibility and be on the lookout for cyclists, too. However, knowing that these hazards are a risk could help.
What are some signs that a driver’s not paying attention?
Some signs that a driver might not see you and could cause a crash may include:
- Looking down or away from the road.
- Eating behind the wheel.
- Weaving in the lane.
- Aggressive driving or road rage.
- Having multiple people in the vehicle.
If you notice that a driver isn’t paying attention and you have the option, wait for them to pass before you continue on. While it is your right to use the street and lane the same way as other vehicles, taking evasive action could help you better protect yourself.
If you do get hit on a bike, remember that you can fight back. You may be able to make a personal injury claim and seek compensation for the other person’s negligent actions and the injuries that they have caused.