St. Petersburg Citizens: What Are Your Plans For Bike Safety Month?
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
Okay, so Bike Safety Month isn't just around the corner. After all, it is only January, and that doesn't come until May 2023. However, with so many bicycle accidents happening across Florida, maybe it's time to put a little more emphasis on bike safety. Maybe St. Pete residents and other should focus on it year-round. But please, don't simply take our word for it. Rather, look at these stats from the FLHSMV. They'll show you how dangerous the roadways can be for bicyclists.The number of bicycle crashes in The Sunshine State declined in 2020, but that might have only been because of people staying home because of the pandemic. Yet, those are the latest stats available. According to the FLHSMV, there were 5,952 bicycle crashes in 2020, which caused 169 fatalities, 759 incapacitating injuries, and 4,815 other injuries.
In our opinion, and hopefully yours too, these figures are still much too high. Hence, let's see if we can eliminate most of them. Why most? Because bicyclists share streets and roadways with motorists, anything can happen if one of the latter is negligent in some way near you. The following are some tips St. Petersburg riders can use to try and remain safe while on their bikes.
Wear A Helmet
Some adults don't wear helmets while riding bicycles, which is their prerogative. According to research, there is no universal helmet law in Florida. Thus, people 16 years of age or older do not have to wear them if they wish. However, it is probably in your best interest to do so.
Bikes don't offer the same protections as vehicles. For instance, they do not have walls, roofs, seat belts, or anything like that. Thus, when bikes are struck by cars, their riders are often hurled through the air. Then, they hit the pavement, ground, trees, or other items that are nearby. So, wear a helmet. It may prevent you from sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a chaotic event.
Always Perform A Safety Check
It can be tempting just to hop on your bike and go. However, you should really perform a pre-trip safety inspection before each ride. You'll want to be sure the tires are aired up, as a flat could cause you to wreck before you even get started well. Additionally, don't forget to make sure the brakes work. Can you even imagine if they didn't? You might attempt to slow down, only to continue moving full speed, ride into an intersection, and get hit by a car.
Finally, take the time to inspect the chain. It should not have a ton of slack and needs to move freely when the pedals are pushed. If the chain is in bad shape, it's probably best to replace it. Then, you won't have to worry about it breaking and leaving you stranded on Central Ave., 7th Ave. S., or elsewhere. Meanwhile, those who don't replace their chains should oil them and the bike's other moving parts so that they remain in working order.
Adjust The Seat
This issue may not come up all that often, but if you share a bike with someone else it could. Then again, if you borrow somebody's bicycle, this problem might arise too. What's the issue? The bicycle seat could be the wrong height. Then, you may not be able to reach the ground. That might not sound like a huge deal, but it could cause you to lose your balance, fall over in front of a car, and get run over.
Have you been severely injured in a bicycle crash by a negligent driver? If the answer is yes, you may have the grounds to seek compensation.