How does a traumatic brain injury (TBI) happen? If you live in a car-dominated city where pedestrians and cyclists are hardly given the time of day, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that cycling contributes to more TBIs than any other sporting activity. So how can we limit the occurrence of traumatic brain injury? There are the common tips, like using reflective tape and lights when biking after dark and equipping you bike with a bell or horn. But Toronto personal injury lawyers know that the law is more detailed than that.
The Law on Cycling Safety
Ontario’s roads are well regulated with regard to cycling. As any driver or cyclist should know, cyclists are required to:
- Stop at all stop signs and red lights.
- Signal turns, lane changes, and stops with the standard hand movements.
- Ride as far towards the right side of the road as is safe.
- Refrain from riding on the sidewalk.
Also, remember that wearing lights and a horn or bell is not just good sense—it’s the law. Aside from the legal requirements, a Toronto personal injury lawyer knows a wealth of safe riding tips to prevent traumatic brain injury.
Cycling Safety Tips
Here are some tips for staying out of harm’s way when you’re on the road.
- Ride predictably and defensively.
- Maintain one meter's distance between your tires and the curb.
- However, you are legally allowed to occupy any part of the lane, and should do so when your safety requires it. For instance, if there is debris in the road near the curb, do not attempt to ride through it—use a hand signal and veer around it.
- Give pedestrians the right of way every time, as they may behave unpredictably.
As long as people move at high speeds on unrestrained modes of locomotion, traumatic brain injury will occur. But following these tips will give you a better chance to stay out of the office of a Toronto personal injury law firm.
Source:
http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/safety-and-crime-prevention/bicycle-safety.asp
http://www.traumaticbraininjury.net/move-over-football-cycling-is-the-biggest-cause-of-sports-related-tbi/