Exercise is good for your heart and your body. Bicycling a type of exercise that is popular with children and adults alike. Safety is an important factor when biking.
There are some common bicycling accidents. It is good to know what these accidents are in order to avoid them. It is estimated that 20,000 bicyclists are injured or killed in accidents annually. If you are surprised at how high these numbers are, this tells how popular biking has become. People save money on gas by biking to work. Not only does it help people save money on transportation, it also is a great way to exercise.
Many accidents occur in cities. They usually involve a collision between a car and a cyclist. Particularly dangerous areas for accidents seem to be near crossroads. The faster the cyclist is going, the worse the injuries tend to be.
Rural areas also have bicycle and car accidents. Many cyclists train on rural roads, because of the hills and elevation. Since the driver and the cyclist are going at fast speeds, death or serious injury to the bicyclist may result.
When children are injured on their bicycles, it usually is a result of carelessness. The child may be doing tricks, such as wheelies, or they loose control of their bike due to speed.
Adult injuries also occur as a result of loosing control of their bicycle. The bike tire may slip on a rock or debris in the road. If the biker looses control of their bike, they may fall or be thrown from their bike. Injuries occur as a result.
Other ways bicyclists are injured involve improper handling of their bike. This may be a result of alcohol consumption. It can also occur if the bicyclist is in a hurry or turns to quickly.
Another high risk area for bikers is when they are crossing busy intersections. Some communities have bike trails that cross through roads. These intersections can be dangerous. Impatient drivers may not see the bikers. Similarly, bikers may be in a hurry to cross the road and misjudge the time it takes to do this.
Head injuries seem to be the most common result of biking accidents. Breaking an arm or leg follows closely behind.
Bicycling can be good for your wallet and your health. It is important to ride carefully so something that is healthy does not turn into something fatal. Proper protective gear, along with a careful eye will keep you safe on the roads.