As a cyclist, you understand the importance of staying safe on the road. Laws for cyclists, however, vary from state to state so you need to be aware of the laws where you are located. Following local cycling laws is one of your best chances of preventing a crash with a motorist. In Texas, here are some of the bicycle laws that are extremely important to follow to help you get to your destination safely and to help you avoid a crash:
- As a bicyclist, remember that you have the rights and duties of other vehicle operators.
- Ride close to the curb and move in the same direction as other traffic. Never ride against traffic.
- Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. When you signal, the other hand should be steering.
- Use hand and arm signals so drivers know your intentions when safe to do so.
- Never overload your bike. There should be one rider per saddle.
- If you are not impeding traffic, you may ride two abreast.
- You are required to have a white headlight on the front and a red light or reflector on the rear for riding when it is dark. These lights should be visible from 500 feet.
- Your bicycle must have brakes that are capable of making a braked wheel skid.
- Only a handful of cities (Austin, Dallas, and Houston most notably) require that bicyclists wear a helmet. Even if you do live in a city that requires helmet usage, adults aged 18 and over are never required to wear a helmet. Although it’s not illegal, there are numerous reasons to wear a helmet. Consider wearing one regardless of the law! It could just save your life.
Crashes Do Happen, So Know What to Do!
While staying alert and following the rules of the road will greatly reduce your risk of being in a crash, even the safest riders can get into a crash at one time or another. Never assume that drivers see you. Instead, ride like they don’t see you so you can be prepared to take defensive action and avoid a collision.
If you are in a crash, you need to know what to do so you can make sure your rights are protected and the proper procedures to follow. What should you do in the event you are involved in a crash?
- First, call the police. Let them know the severity of injuries and the address of the crash.
- Exchange contact information with the driver involved. This means you need to get their name, address, and phone number, the license plate of the vehicle, and the insurance information.
- Get statements from any witnesses to the crash and include their names and contact information in case they need to be spoken with again later.
- Take photos of the crash scene. This can be done with a smartphone. If your bike is equipped with a GoPro camera that was recording, do not delete it because the video may be needed later. Photograph the damage on your bike, clothing and helmet, any injuries, the street where the accident occurred and the other vehicle involved.
- Save any damaged equipment and wait to fix it. Save your damaged clothing and helmet, along with your broken bike to show the insurance company.
- Make sure the police officer takes your statement for the report. You want the report to be detailed and accurate. Sometimes, a police officer will only take a witness statement from the driver of the automobile.
- Most important of all, you need to get proper medical care. Injuries can be worse than you initially believe so you should get checked out right away by going to a local emergency room.
Make Sure You Understand Cycling Laws
Check to see if any changes have been made to bicycling laws and ask police officers if you have any questions or need clarification regarding the laws. Your local bicycle club will be happy to help elaborate any questions you may have on other great ways to stay safe while riding.
*This article was provided by Personal Injury Help and was not written by a legal professional. If you need any assistance after a crash with a motorist, you should contact a qualified personal injury attorney in Texas. If you have any questions on this article, feel free to reach out to our team at help@personalinjury-law.org.