blog home Bicycle Accident Preventing Bicycle Accidents: Tips for Riders and Drivers

Preventing Bicycle Accidents: Tips for Riders and Drivers

By Grant Law Office on March 14, 2024

Riding a bicycle is a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful state of Georgia. It also provides a good workout to boost your cardiovascular system. Environmentally conscious people will be glad to hear that cycling really reduces your carbon footprint when compared to using a car or any type of motorized vehicle.

One drawback of riding a bike is that you’re more vulnerable to injuries than someone who is traveling inside an automobile that’s equipped with seat belts, airbags, and other safety features. In the greater Atlanta area, about 90 pedestrians and cyclists are killed in traffic crashes every year, and almost 300 hundred more suffer life-threatening injuries. When careless drivers cause collisions by disobeying traffic laws and failing to look out for people on bicycles, the cyclist is a lot more likely than the motorist to suffer serious injuries.

It’s important for bicycle riders to follow the bike laws of Georgia. You’ll also want to take additional safety precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones who are out riding around.

Bicycle Laws in Georgia

Riding a bicycle isn’t just good for your health; it also benefits the economy. The Georgia DOT estimates that “bicycle-related industries and activities generate an annual economic impact of $500 million in Georgia and employ more than 4,500 people.”

Georgia has been adding new bike lanes and passing laws to protect riders. All drivers must change lanes if possible when passing a bicycle or give the rider three feet of room and slow down by 10 to 25 mph.

Georgia bike laws that aim to protect rider safety include the following provisions:

• Riders must follow the law and exercise reasonable care at all times.
• Riders and passengers can only sit on a permanent, regular bicycle seat.
• Passengers are not permitted to sit on handlebars.
• Bike riders are not allowed to transport more people than the bike is designed to accommodate.
• You cannot transport a child who is under one year old on a bicycle.
• A child younger than one may travel in a trailer that’s properly affixed to the bike when using an infant sling.
• Bicycle riders cannot attach themselves to a motor vehicle.
• Riders must travel as near to the side of the road as practical, except when turning left, when there’s a road hazard, or when the lane is too narrow.
• Never carry a package or bundle that prevents you from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
• Bikes ridden at night must have a white lamp in front that’s visible for at least 300 feet and a red light or reflector in the back that’s visible for at least 300 feet.
• Handlebars must not require the rider to raise their hands above the shoulder.
• Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
• Businesses cannot rent bikes to riders who are under 16 without providing a helmet.
• Parents or guardians must not knowingly authorize or permit their wards to violate provisions of the Georgia bicycle safety laws.
• It is illegal for riders over 12 to ride on sidewalks unless permitted by a local ordinance.
• All bikes must have brakes that can make the wheels skid when traveling on a flat, dry surface.

Recommended Bicycle Safety Equipment and Gear

Even though bicycle helmets are only legally required for riders and passengers under 16, we strongly recommend them to people of all ages. It’s also a good idea to ride with a friend whenever possible, rest when you’re feeling fatigued, and never take unnecessary risks.

Bringing along the following gear and equipment when you ride will help provide an additional layer of safety and protection:

• Helmet
• Gloves
• Protective gear
• Water
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Brightly colored clothing
• First aid kit

We’ve Won Millions of Dollars for Our Clients

The exceptional trial lawyers at Grant Law Office are committed to getting justice for accident victims. Our Atlanta bicycle accident attorneys have more than 60 years of combined legal experience. If you or a loved one was harmed while riding your bike, Grant Law Office will file a claim or lawsuit seeking damages against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries.

Our partner, Wayne Grant, has been selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America 2024 for Personal Injury Litigation by Best Lawyers. Wayne is proud to be in the top 5% of attorneys in Georgia, as chosen by his peers through independent research conducted by Super Lawyers.

Reach out to us at (404) 995-3955 to schedule a free case review today.