(702) 857-6000Have You Talked To Your Teen About Bike Safety?
A 15-year-old bicyclist was critically injured in Las Vegas last week after being hit by a vehicle. While safety on the road is everyone’s responsibility, we want to give you and your teens the tools to stay safe while riding. Here, we provide our top bicycle safety tips for teens and discuss what your teen should do if a driver injures them on a bicycle.
We hope the below discussion helps your teen stay safe on two wheels. If a driver injures your teen in a Las Vegas area bicycle accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect their rights and ensure they receive maximum compensation. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation. Read the below article to know about bicycle safety tips in detail.
Our Top Bicycle Safety Tips for Teens
We all want to keep our teens safe, whether they are walking, driving, or riding bikes. One of the best ways to keep teens safe on bicycles is to talk to them about bicycle safety. When you are talking to your teen, keep in mind our top bicycle safety tips for teens which are provided below.
Wear a Helmet
Wearing a bicycle helmet is one of the most important decisions that your teen can make when riding a bicycle. Talk to your teen about the importance of wearing a helmet every time they get on a bicycle, even if they are just riding in the neighborhood. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.
One way to encourage helmet use is to let your teen pick out their own helmet. That way they can find a helmet that fits their style and that they think is cool. Just make sure the helmet fits properly and meets the standards issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Check for the certification label inside the helmet. Use the linked guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on fitting a helmet.
Ride a Bike that Fits
Teens grow overnight. It is important to regularly check that your teen’s bicycle fits them. If necessary, adjust the bicycle to fit your teen. Do not let your teen ride a bicycle that is too big or too small.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the following guidance on how to adjust a bicycle to fit:
- Stand over the bicycle.
- There should be one to two inches between the rider and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike. There should be three to four inches if using a mountain bike.
- The seat should be level front to back.
- The height of the seat should allow for a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended.
- The handlebar height should be level with the seat.
Maintain the Bike
Just like a car, a bicycle requires regular maintenance to properly function. Teach your teen how to maintain their bicycle. This includes the following:
- Clean and lubricate the bike chain
- Inflate tires properly
- Check that the brakes work
Dress Appropriately
A helmet isn’t the only thing that matters when your teen is riding a bike. Encourage your teen to wear clothing appropriate for bike riding. Wearing clothing that is safe for bike riding can avoid dangerous mishaps. Dressing appropriately means avoiding loose-fitting clothing and keeping shoelaces tied.
What your teen wears can impact their safety in other ways as well. Wearing bright and reflective clothing can help your teen stay visible on their bike. This is especially important if your teen is riding when it is dark or visibility is low.
Be Visible
Clothing isn’t the only way that your teen can be visible on their bicycle. Your teen can increase their visibility in other ways by doing the following:
- Riding in a group
- Only riding during daylight hours
- Using reflectors and lights
Increase Visibility at Night
If your teen is going to ride when it is dark, then they need to take extra steps to see and be seen. Encourage your teen to wear reflectors on their clothing to stand out.
According to Nevada Revised Statute 484B.783(1), every bicycle when used at night must be equipped with the following:
- A front lamp which emits white light
- A rear red reflector
- Reflective material on both sides of the bicycle
Review the statute for additional specifications on the requirements.
Check for Bikeability
Riding a bike can be a fun and safe way for your teen to get around. However, some areas are more bikeable than others. A bikeable community is a community that is safe for bicyclists. Encourage your teen to find safe routes away from traffic. If possible, ride with your teen to explore alternate routes that may be less dangerous than their current routes.
Pay Attention
Distractions are dangerous. Your teen must pay attention while riding their bike. Talk to your teen about the importance of paying attention while riding. They should avoid using their phone and listening to music while riding. These types of distractions can make it difficult for your teen to listen and look for approaching vehicles.
If a driver injures your teen on a bicycle, you should seek legal advice from an experienced bicycle accident lawyer. The experienced team at Anthem Injury Lawyers can help protect your teen’s rights and help get them the personal injury settlement that they deserve. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Follow the Rules of the Road
Nevada has a number of laws that apply to bicyclists. These laws exist to keep everyone safe. Review Nevada bicycle laws with your teen so they understand what is expected of them when they are riding. Talk to your teen about using proper hand and arm signals. For more information, see Do You Know Nevada Bicycle Laws?
What Should Your Teen Do if a Driver Injures Them on a Bicycle?
Even the safest bicyclist can still be injured by a driver. If a driver injures your teen on a bicycle, talk to them about what they should do. Our top tips include the following:
- Call 911 and get medical help immediately.
- Call their parent or guardian.
- Do not admit fault.
- Gather contact information from the other drivers and witnesses if possible.
- Seek legal advice by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers
We hope your teen stays safe riding their bike. If a driver injures your teen in a Las Vegas area bicycle accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your teen’s rights and help your teen receive maximum compensation for their injuries. We are based in Henderson, Nevada, and serve clients throughout the Las Vegas area. When we say we offer personal injury law experience, we mean over 25 years of experience. This is the combination of knowledge and expertise your teen needs to win significant compensation as a victim in a Las Vegas area bicycle accident. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
