The bicycle is one of the most convenient, environmentally friendly, and healthy ways to get around. Millions of people ride their bikes every day, but accidents can happen when cyclists fail to take precautions. Hutzler law bicycle accident lawyers recommend hiring a bicycle accident lawyer if you or anyone you know got involved in a cycling accident. Here are some mistakes a cyclist shouldn’t make:

1. Riding without lights at night

Riding at night is a big mistake. It’s a great way to get yourself into trouble, especially if you’re riding on the road and not on the sidewalk. You don’t want to be one of those people who gets a ticket for not having lights on their bike. 

You should have front and back lights for visibility when riding at night. These can be as simple as reflectors or blinking lights that run on batteries. If you’re riding in an area with low traffic volume, it’s also a good idea to wear reflective clothing or a vest so drivers can see you more easily. If you’re not comfortable riding at night, wait until the morning when there’s more light around you.

2. Not having a bell or horn.

You should always have a bell or horn on your bike. This is important because it lets other road users know where you are and what you’re doing. It’s especially important for riders who ride with headphones on as it lets them know when you’re approaching from behind so they can move out of your way and need to be careful around you. If you don’t have one, it’s not too hard to get one online or at a local shop. 

3. Not using freeways

You should always ride with traffic when possible because cars will travel much faster than you, and they may not see you coming from behind if they’re looking at oncoming traffic in front of them. If there isn’t enough room on the shoulder or bike lane for two-way traffic, it’s best to ride single file with other riders rather than side by side where drivers may not expect it.

4. Riding drunk or high

Riding while intoxicated or impaired by drugs is never a good idea. This is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. If you’re riding, don’t drink and ride! It’s not worth the risk of hurting yourself or others. Even if you think you’re fine, it’s easy for alcohol or other substances to impair your judgment and reaction time while riding a bike. If you have been drinking, wait until you’ve sobered up before taking your bike out on the road.

5. Riding without a helmet

Helmets are not only recommended but required by law in many parts of the world. They are designed to protect your head in case of an accident, but they aren’t just for looks—they can save your life. Make sure you always wear one whenever you ride — even if it’s just around town on the flat pavement with no traffic! Even if no one else is wearing a helmet where you live, do it anyway. It could save your life someday.

6. Riding against traffic

This is another very common mistake made by cyclists. If there is no bike lane available, cyclists should ride on the side of the road with the least amount of traffic (i.e., not next to parked cars). They should stay as far away from parked cars as possible because these cars may open their doors without looking and could cause severe injuries if the cyclist crashes into them at high speeds.