Whether you are an adult or a youngster, riding a bicycle can be a fun summer activity.

 Unfortunately, nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and more than 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on the road in the U.S. every year.

 Many deaths are a result of bicycle-motor vehicle collisions. However, injuries can happen anywhere like parks, bike paths, and driveways, and don’t always involve a motor vehicle collision.

Head injuries are the most serious for bicyclists. They are also the most common cause of death among bicyclists.

In New Jersey, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.

Safety Tips for Bicycle Riders

HELMETS - Every bike ride should begin with putting on a helmet. It’s equally important to make sure that your helmet fits properly so it provides the best protection.

AVOID CRASHES – The most serious crashes are those with motor vehicles. However, regardless of the reason for the crash, prevention is the name of the game/. Here are some suggestions:

Ride a bike that fits you – if it’s too big, or small, it’s harder to control

Ride a bike that works – It doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work

EQUIPMENT - Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others travelers on the road.

Plan your route – if driving on roadways, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds.

Drive Defensively

Be focused and alert to the road and traffic around you. Do your best to anticipate what others may do, before they do it.

Drive with the flow of traffic

Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, like a car

Assume the other person doesn’t see you and look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid.

In New Jersey, anyone under 17 years of age that rides a bicycle or is a passenger on a bicycle, or is towed as a passenger by a bicycle must wear a safety helmet. On August 1, 1998 this helmet law was extended to include roller and inline skates and skateboards.

Cooper Levenson is a full-service law firm established in 1957. The firm includes 70 attorneys with offices in Atlantic City and Cherry Hill, N.J.; New York, N.Y.; Wilmington, Del.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla, and Las Vegas, Nev. Randolph Lafferty, and Kathleen Beers are personal injury attorneys and can be reached at (609) 572-7788