You’re riding your bike, enjoying the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face. You’re feeling free. You’re feeling like a kid again. But then something happens. You hit a rut in the road, or you cut through a puddle of water that wasn’t there before—and suddenly you find yourself flat on your back, wondering just what in the world happened. It can be frustrating to get hurt while riding your bike—but it shouldn’t happen every time you go for a ride. Here are eight ways you can get injured while riding your bicycle and what to do.
You Can Hit a Pedestrian and Fall off Your Bicycle
You could hit a pedestrian with your bike if you ride in an urban area. If you’re not paying attention, or if the pedestrian is crossing the street without looking, you could easily collide—and both of you could end up getting hurt. Always watch out for pedestrians, and yield to them if they have the right of way. If a collision does happen, try to stay calm and assess the situation. You may be able to exchange insurance information and file a police report if necessary.
You Could Fall Victim to “Dooring”
Picture this: you’re riding down the street, minding your own business when suddenly, a car door opens right in front of you, and you smack into it. Ouch! This is known as “dooring” and can be seriously dangerous. To avoid it, always ride a few feet away from parked cars so that you’re not in the way if someone decides to open their door. Consider hiring an attorney to seek compensation if you have been injured in a bicycle accident due to dooring.
You Could Get Hit by a Car
Getting hit by a car doesn’t come as a surprise, but it’s still worth mentioning. Cars are big, and they move fast—if one hits you while you’re on your bicycle, the chances are good that you will get hurt. So ensure you always ride in designated bike lanes (when possible) and wear bright clothing so drivers can see you. And, of course, always be on the lookout for cars, even if you think they’ve seen you.
You Could Lose Control of Your Bicycle
Many things can cause you to lose control of your bicycle, from hitting a pothole to going over a bump in the road. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to swerve or veer off into traffic—which can be dangerous. To avoid losing control of your bike, ensure you’re always aware of your surroundings and riding at a comfortable speed.
You Could Get Stuck in a Railroad Crossing
If you try to ride your bike across a set of railroad tracks and get stuck, you could be in for a nasty fall—or worse. Always dismount your bicycle and walk it across the tracks. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting caught on anything.
You Could Slip on Wet Pavement
Riding a bike in the rain can be fun—but it can also be dangerous. Wet pavement is slippery, and you could easily lose control of your bike if you’re not careful. Make sure you slow down when riding in wet conditions, and pay extra attention to potential hazards like puddles or leaves on the ground.
You Could Get Rear-ended by Another Bicycle
This one might seem a bit far-fetched, but it can happen. If riding in a group, always be aware of the other cyclists around you. If someone is riding too close to you, or if they’re not paying attention, they could easily collide into the back of your bike. To avoid this, signal before you brake or change lanes and give the person behind you plenty of space.
You Could Get Sucked Into a Drainage Ditch
You could easily get pulled in if you’re riding near a drainage ditch and are not careful. This can be especially dangerous if the ditch is full of water—you could drown! Always stay well away from drainage ditches, and be extra cautious if it’s been raining recently.
Final Word
The world is unpredictable. So, no matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that you could get injured while riding your bicycle. The best you can do is stay vigilant by following the tips mentioned above.
