Cyclists face a variety of dangers on the road--the most severe of them being strikes by automobiles. Because bicycles offer much less protection than passenger automobiles, riders are particularly prone to injury and even death from collisions with vehicles. This relative lack of safety also makes the roads themselves more dangerous for cyclists. Obstacles that are a mere annoyance for passenger vehicles--like potholes and railroad track crossings--can cause severe damage to a bicycle and injury to the cyclist if they are not handled properly. In this post, we will go over some of the most common road-related dangers for bicyclists and offer a few tips on how to avoid them.
Potholes
Potholes are among the most dangerous road condition hazards for cyclists because they are incredibly common and almost impossible to completely remove. Like the Hydra from Greek mythology, as soon as one pothole is filled, others tend to pop up out of nowhere, seemingly overnight. Riding into a pothole can cause a number of problems for cyclists, from puncturing a tire on the mild end of the spectrum to throwing the rider from the bike into moving traffic on the severe end. Landing face first on a paved surface can cause bruises and broken bones while being hit by a moving vehicle can be deadly. The most effective way for dealing with potholes is to avoid them by riding around them, but that is not always an option, especially on busy urban roads. If you cannot swerve to avoid a pothole, you should use the "bunny hop"1 maneuver to jump over it. Here's how it works:
- As you approach a pothole, level the peddle cranks and lift your bottom up out of the seat.
- Place your hands on the handlebars and shift your weight backward.
- When you are about to hit the pothole, spring your body and feet upward while lifting up on the handlebars. This will raise the bike up off the ground long enough to jump over the pothole.
Slick Spots
Painted Lines: Painted roadways can be slick,2 especially in wide markings like pedestrian crossings. This is because the paint fills in the asphalt's texture, which reduces the amount of grip your tires have on the road, especially when the paint is wet. When approaching pedestrian crossings and other painted markers, be sure to slow down and allow yourself more time to brake.
Wet metal: Metal surfaces in the road (like manhole covers and steel plates) are as slick as ice when they are wet. When approaching wet metal, cross with your bike absolutely upright, as even a slight tilt can cause your wheels to slip and throw you from the bike.
Sewer grates: Like manhole covers and steel plates, sewer grates are also made of metal and can be slippery, especially when wet. However, sewer grates present another problem for cyclists: They have long, rectangular holes in them that can easily swallow a bicycle tire, sending the rider headlong over the handlebars. Avoid sewer grates by not riding so far into the gutter that they become obstacles.
Leaves: Biking through leaves is a hazard that is most severe during the fall, as large piles of leaves can quickly cover the sides of a road. While dry leaves can reduce the amount of friction between your bike's tires and the road, especially if they are newly-fallen, this problem is exacerbated if the leaves are even the slightest bit wet. As with biking on all other slick surfaces, slow down and try to ride straight through the leaves, as any tilt can cause your bike to slip out from under you.
Railroad Tracks
Railroad tracks, like potholes, are also very common and difficult to avoid. Unlike potholes, however, railroad tracks tend not to multiply and there are almost always warning signs to alert drivers and cyclists that railroad tracks are ahead. They also cannot be ridden around like some other dangers, so it is important that you know how to deal with them. When approaching railroad tracks, slow down. Railroad tracks are very rough surfaces and even if you don't crash they could still puncture a tire. Also, always cross railroad tracks at right angles, even if the tracks are diagonal to the road you are on. When you cross railroad tracks at an angle, your front wheel can very easily be twisted out from under you. It is also helpful to rise up slightly off the seat and use your arms and legs as shock absorbers.
Uneven Surfaces
Uneven surfaces like speed bumps, cobblestones, bricks, and gravel are treacherous to cyclists because they are unpredictable. Unlike on smooth asphalt roads, the cyclist on uneven surfaces has no idea what type of terrain is coming up next. The best technique for avoiding accidents while driving over rough and uneven surfaces is to rise up out of the seat slightly so that your center of gravity is still low, and use your arms and legs as shock absorbers. This way, your body will move fluidly while the bike moves up and down. If you regularly ride on rough surfaces, you might also want to consider investing in wider tires.
Most Common Types of Cyclist Injuries
Any of the above road conditions can cause injury to cyclists. Although in most cases we hope that the cyclist merely punctures a tire or breaks a chain, bicycle accidents can cause physical injury3 as well. Limb injuries are the most common injuries for cyclists, with about 40% of cyclists suffering arm injuries and around 25% suffering leg injuries. The next most common type of injury is head injuries, with about 40% of cyclists suffering from at least one head injury during their lifetime. Chest and abdomen injuries are the least common type of cycling injury, with only 5% of cyclists suffering from them.
Contact a Clearwater Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, please contact the attorneys at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA for a free consultation by calling 727-451-6900 or by sending us an email through our online contact form.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 451-6900 https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/bicycle-injury-attorneys/2 https://www.seattle-cycling-tours.com/bicyclingroadhazards.html