Cycling is fun and healthy. It’s a great way to get some exercising in. Apart from cycling as a hobby, many people also use bicycles as their main mode of transportation, whether that be to and from work or to the grocery store.
Like other users on the road, bicyclists also have a list of rules and regulations they must follow. They also benefit from knowing the rules that motorists need to abide by as well since the state of New Jersey considers bicycles as vehicles.
Rules cyclists need to follow
With the new additions of electric scooters and added regulations, the New Jersey’s department of transportation is always updating their for cyclists to follow. Some of these include:
- Lights for nighttime use must be on your bike
- Audible signal must be on your bike and loud enough for others to hear for at least 100 feet away
- Your bike must feature working brakes
- Hands and feet must always be on the vehicle
- Persons under 17 years of age must abide by the Helmet Law
Dangers cyclists face
While cyclists may have years of experience and know the area they are biking in, dangers are always lurking. Accidents are unpredictable and they can cause severe injuries. For example, a father and avid cyclist, was injured in early September in Passaic county by a rolling tire that blew out from a dump truck. While some situations are unavoidable, there are a few things cyclists can be aware of. Some of these include:
- Vehicles backing up
- Parked vehicles
- T- Junctions
- Overtaking
- Leaves and potholes
Since bicyclists are more exposed than other drivers on the road, their injuries might be more severe. It’s important for riders to understand what steps to take after an incident and to get the right care they need to avoid long term personal injuries. Injuries left untreated might pose added emotional, physical and financial stress on someone.
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