Cycling can be an excellent way to get from one place to another while enjoying the outdoors and staying fit; however, the activity comes with certain inherent risks of riders being involved in motor vehicle accidents.
It’s up to both cyclists and motorists alike to work with one another to help prevent these accidents, which is why one of the North Carolina personal injury lawyers with HensonFuerst has started writing a monthly article for a cycling publication that will focus on promoting safe cycling practices.
Attorney Thomas Henson, Jr. has been an avid cyclist for years and has handled numerous legal cases involving bicycle accident victims. Having seen both sides of the coin, his most recent article was able to focus on what cyclists can do to prevent crashes and injuries.
In the April edition of Endurance Magazine, Henson pointed to three pieces of bicycle equipment and gear that are absolutely necessary to stay safe when riding on the road. They include:
- Helmets- While only riders age 16 or younger are required by law to wear a helmet when riding a bike, Thomas Henson encourages riders of all ages to use this vital piece of safety gear. Doing so can reduce the chances of injury or death in the event of an accident by as much as 40 percent.
- Lights and Reflectors- North Carolina law requires bicycles traveling between dawn and dusk to be equipped with a front headlight and a rear reflecting or illuminated lamp. Henson adds it is better to have too many lights and reflectors than not enough.
- Seats- There should only be one rider per seat per bike.
