Walking and biking safely this summer

Biking and walking more are one of the joys of summer for many people. But increased time walking and biking can also lead to more injuries.

Between distracted driving and distracted walking, the results can be disastrous. It is alarming to learn that in 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. That’s one pedestrian killed every 81 minutes.

So how can we best stay safe? Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists should all take extra precaution. When everyone does their part, we can all have a safer summer.

With some precautions, adults and kids should be able to safely explore on foot or on two wheels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has great suggestions for how to stay safe as a pedestrian, driver, and cyclist. Keep reading to learn more.

If you are injured as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or while driving, hiring an experienced attorney is essential to protect your interests and get the best possible outcome for your case.

Contact Aversa & Linn for help in evaluating your claim.

Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrians may have the right of way in a crosswalk, but we also need to use common sense. Just because a car is supposed to stop in a crosswalk doesn’t mean it will. We can’t control other people’s behavior, but we can control our own, and lead by example for our kids. Here are some recommendations from NHTSA to stay safe while walking:

Use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible.
Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
Don’t assume that a vehicle or bicycle can see you.

Bicycle safety

A bike can be an important step toward independence for kids. What are the most important rules of the road that everyone should follow, and teach their children? Here are some helpful suggestions from the NHTSA.

Wear a properly fitted helmet.
Ride a bike that fits you.
Ride a bike that works.
Wear equipment that makes you visible to others – during the day and especially at night.
Drive with the flow, in the same direction as traffic.
Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.
Assume the other person doesn’t see you.
No texting, listening to music or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.
Wear a properly fitted helmet. (This is not a typo, it’s just so important we listed it twice.)

Driver precautions

Electric Bikes

As a driver, you need to be aware of the fact that more and more bicycles have electric motors powering them, which make them operate less like bikes and more like motor vehicles. They may be driving much more quickly than you expect and/or make sudden movements that can catch you by surprise. Use extra caution when you see bikers, as many accidents have been caused by drivers hitting people on electric bikes, because they didn’t realize how quickly the person was going.

If you’re driving one of these electric bikes, be aware that vehicles on the road may not appreciate how fast you are traveling, so make sure to take extra precaution.

Besides general recommendations like always watching for pedestrians, using extra caution at night and in bad weather, and obeying all the laws, the NHTSA has specific recommendations for drivers about crosswalks:

Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk.
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Stop well back from crosswalks so other vehicles can see the crossing pedestrians.
Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.

If an accident happens

No matter what precautions people take, accidents still happen. In the event of an accident, try to remain calm and take the following steps.

Safety first. Take a moment to assess if you or anyone involved is injured.
Call 911. In Pennsylvania, if a car accident results in death, injury or severe damage to any vehicle, the law requires that you immediately call the police. Try and find out if the police will respond to the scene. If they arrive, note the police report number, officer name and badge number. If they don’t arrive, go to the nearest police station to file a report.
Take photos. Take photos of everything: the vehicle damage, property damage, license plates, and location. You can also photograph the ID, insurance information, and registration of the driver.

If drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists keep their attention focused, use common sense, and assume other people are distracted, everyone can have a safer summer, enjoying more time outside.