Minnesota’s bicycle-friendly laws encourage motorists to share the road and consider bicycle riders’ safety. Still, riding a bicycle near motorized traffic demands awareness of certain dangers.

Bicycle safety and preventative measures in Mankato can help cyclists prevent accidents that lead to severe injuries. However, if a collision does happen, an experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

Call Maschka Personal Injury today for more information about bicycle injury claims.

Understanding Bicycle Safety Measures

Safe cycling demands a thorough understanding of bicycle laws and best practices. Bicycles have smaller frames and a lower profile than standard vehicles, making them harder to see on busy streets. Given their inherent vulnerability, cyclists in Mankato should be mindful of the following preventative and safety measures.

Following Minnesota Bicycle Laws

Cyclists must follow the same rules as drivers, which include the following:

  • Riding in the same direction as traffic
  • Obeying road markings, street signs, and traffic lights
  • Signaling stops, lane changes, and turns

Under certain circumstances, cyclists must adhere to additional laws, such as staying as close to the right edge of the lane as possible and remaining in a single lane rather than riding side by side.

Using Safety Gear

While cyclists are not required to wear helmets in Minnesota, riding without a helmet is never recommended. Wearing a helmet can reduce the severity of head injuries and minimize the risk of a fatality.

Adopting Safe Riding Practices

Certain roadway laws only apply to motorized vehicle drivers. However, eliminating distractions and other potential risks helps keep Mankato roadways safe.

For instance, riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or while texting can impair coordination and judgment, increasing the potential for an accident.

The Impact of Safety Measures On Accident Claims

Drivers do not always bear full responsibility for accidents involving cyclists. A cyclist’s actions can make them partially or fully at fault for causing a wreck. Some scenarios where bicyclists may bear responsibility for causing a crash include  failure to signal a turn, failure to follow roadway signs, and failure to use lights and reflectors when riding after dark.

Taking every available safety precaution and measure helps Mankato bicyclists minimize their risk of injury. When an accident occurs despite a rider’s best efforts to ride responsibly, a skilled personal injury attorney can help the bicyclist recover fair compensation.

Learn More About the Role of Bicycle Safety and Preventative Measures in Mankato Accidents

Even the most careful rider who follows bicycle safety and preventative measures in Mankato can get injured in an accident. At Maschka Personal Injury, our lawyers have a proven track record of helping many injured riders get the financial recovery they deserve.

Our legal team understands the laws that protect the rights of bicyclists and knows how to use them to your advantage. We will aggressively pursue your case to ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle collision, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.