Millions of Canadians ride bicycles to commute to work or school, as well as simply to enjoy the beautiful scenery around the Great Toronto Area. Riding a bicycle is fun for the entire family. Its healthy and environmentally friendly, but it also presents serious safety risks. Cyclists in Ontario need to take steps to protect their safety every time they go out for a ride.
Bicycles offer very little protection to riders, and cyclists face roadway hazards that occupants of cars and passenger vehicles don’t have to think about. To make matters worse, mistakes by other vehicles often place cyclists at greater risk of suffering serious injuries in an accident.
The first and most important step a cyclist can take to protect their safety is to wear a helmet during every ride. In Ontario, every cyclist under the age of 18 is required by law to wear a helmet at all times. Even older and more experienced riders benefit from the added protection of a bicycle helmet. It is statistically proven that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of suffering serious or fatal head and brain injuries in the event of an accident.
Here are some additional safety tips that can help you avoid being involved in a bicycle accident this summer:
- Understand All Traffic Laws: Bicycles are classified as normal vehicles by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. That means that just like any other driver, cyclists must obey all traffic laws, stop at stop signs, and never bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Be Careful at Intersections: According to Statistics Canada, cyclists are more likely to be injured at an intersection or at a location with traffic signals. Be on the lookout for cars and other vehicles making turns at intersections, as this is a leading cause of bicycle accidents.
- Wear Bright or Reflective Clothing at Night: One out of every three bicycle accident fatalities occur at night when visibility is low. If you are biking after dark, wear bright or reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to surrounding vehicles.
Nearly 7,500 cyclists are seriously injured in bicycle accidents in Canada every year. At Cariati Law, we want to do our part to ensure that all cyclists arrive at their destinations safely. Please wear a helmet at all times, obey the rules of the road, and be on the lookout for cars and other vehicles when cycling.
For more bicycle safety tips and information, click here.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured in a bicycle accident that was not your fault, you will need the protection of Cariati Law. Our Toronto bicycle accident lawyers have experience with these types of cases, and will work hard to seek the justice and the recovery you deserve.
Call Cariati Law today at 905-629-8040 for a FREE, confidential consultation. When you call, you will speak with an experienced Toronto Bicycle Accident lawyer for free. We will investigate every detail of your accident and fight hard to protect your rights.
At Cariati Law, you will never pay a lawyer’s fee up front and you owe us nothing until we recover for you. That is the Cariati Law No Fee Promise.
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