Bicycle Safety in 2021: What You Should Know

Whether you choose to hang on to your handlebars or grip your steering wheel on your daily commute it is important to know how bicycle safety is relevant to you. In response to the pandemic this last year, there has been a 121% rise in bike sales since March 2020. Due to this rising number of bicyclists, a major reconstruction of America’s roads is underway. Many cities are creating bicycle lanes as a top priority to create a safer roadway for cyclists. Denver has even started a bicycle program called “Denver Moves” where protected bike lanes will be built throughout the metro area. By 2023, Denver plans to complete its development of 125 miles of bike lanes largely in the northwest and central Denver regions.” (ColoradoPolitics.com)

Colorado state law requires cyclists to follow the same etiquette as motor vehicles. The most common bicycle accidents include riding at night (specifically 6pm – 9pm), urban riding (79% of bicycle deaths in 2018 were in urban settings), and riding under the influence of alcohol.  “Motor vehicle accidents involving a bicycle happen on average about once a week in Denver.” (Fox News 21 – Denver)

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, we suggest you take the following steps:

1. Take photos of your bicycle, the vehicle, location of accident, and most importantly, any injuries you have sustained
2. Get the contact information of the motor vehicle driver, including name, phone number, and auto insurance
3. Call the police
4. Seek medical attention as needed
5. Call our Denver bicycle accident attorneys at (303) 444-4444 for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

With the rising number of cyclists on the road and cities finally re-opening after a long quarantine, people are at risk more than ever for bicycle accidents. Luckily, as cities adjust to the demand for safer roads, you can expect more bike lanes coming soon in your area. As a bicyclist, it is important to stay out of blind spots, use your hand signals, and wear safety protection such as helmets and reflectors. When you are behind the wheel of a car, be sure to look out for cyclists in your area – there will be many more than you were used to pre-pandemic.