Biking along the beach can be filled with scenic beauty and fresh air. However, staying alert, wearing the proper safety equipment and watching out for other motorists can make your excursion safe and incident free. According to personal injury lawyers Charleston South Carolina beachgoers rely upon, as population increases, the chance of being involved in a biking accident increases with the increased traffic on the beach. The following are 10 tips to staying safe while sharing the beach.
1. Obey the Laws
In many states, motorists and bikes have similar laws. Familiarizing yourself with these regulations can help you avoid an accident.
2. Stay Alert
Warm weather brings out a host of activity around the beach, and you need to stay alert to other pedestrians. When navigating around other beach goers, always pass to the left and notify them of your intentions.
3. Avoid Distractions
When traversing around a busy beach on a bike, you need to remain focused on the activity around you. Cellphone usage, texting and wearing headphones can put yourself and others in danger. They may also be illegal, dependent on the state where you reside.
4. Walk Your Bike
When biking through a busy sidewalk along the beach, you need to walk your bike until the pedestrian traffic has thinned out. When it’s clear, you can resume biking until you get to another busy walkway.
5. Wear a Helmet
A bicycle helmet can save lives, and it’s mandatory for those under the age of 18 in most states. Protecting your most valuable assets by wearing other safety gear can prevent a serious injury, especially around high traffic areas.
6. Be Visible
Whether you’re riding during the day or at night, you want to wear clothing that keeps you visible. Bright or contrasting colors can be seen by pedestrians and motorists and can make you visible when traversing the beach.
7. Bike WITH Traffic
It’s a state law that bicycle riders must follow the flow of traffic when riding. This is an excellent way to see what lies ahead and alerts you to any problems you may encounter.
8. Slow Down
When riding around a busy area such as the beach, you’ll want to reduce your speed. Sandy beaches are typically filled with families and friends out for a day of fun in the sun. Leave your speed riding to a bicycle path that is geared strictly for riders.
9. Use Signals
A safe bicyclist is someone who knows the proper signals on the roadway. Riding through a busy intersection or beach walkway can make it difficult to ascertain what a rider is intending to do. You can take the guesswork out of your ride by utilizing the proper signs and hand gestures.
10. Door Zone
One of the most frequent causes of accidents is the “door zone.” This is an area where a motorist fails to notice a biker rider and opens their car door. If a rider isn’t paying attention, they can crash into the door of the vehicle.
Because you share the walkways and roads around the beach, you and your fellow motorists need to practice common courtesy. The laws and regulations are geared toward bike safety and intended to keep riders, motorists and pedestrians safe.
Melanie Fleury loves to bike along the beach with her family of four kids. Howell & Christmas, personal injury lawyers Charleston South Carolina based, warn bikers that, although Charleston has miles and miles of bike trails that seem safe, safety rules need to be followed to avoid a preventable accident.