Thousands of cyclists suffer painful injuries each year because of potholes. These types of accidents can be prevented with the right infrastructure. Creating bike-friendly infrastructure is essential to making our roads safer for cyclists. Here are some steps you can take in that direction.
The Dangers of Potholes for Cyclists
Potholes and other road defects are commonly caused by freezing weather conditions, so riders should be extra vigilant during winter and throughout spring. Potholes can cause cyclists to lose control of their bikes, throw them off balance, and at worst cause serious injuries if a cyclist is unable to recover. To prevent such accidents, cyclists should pay close attention to the surface of the road and avoid hitting potholes as much as possible. Additionally, it is also important to ensure your bike has proper brakes and tires that offer maximum protection. Taking these safety precautions can help cyclists defensively prepare against sudden surface changes on the road, including potholes. If you have been injured as a result of a pothole it may be possible to claim Pothole Compensation for your injuries.
How to Report a Pothole
Reporting a pothole is a great way to help improve the safety of any roadway. There are several effective ways in which to report a pothole, though the best method depends on your location. For example, you might find that your local council provides an online form you can use or that they require you to call your county’s department of public works. If a local council is not available, then reporting the issue on gov.uk can also be effective. Remember to provide the most accurate details possible when reporting the location and size of the pothole; this will ensure that it gets addressed in a timely fashion. Taking the time to report a pothole is a valuable way of helping keep roads safe!
The Local Council’s Responsibility to Maintain Safe Roads
The local council has an important responsibility to maintain roads that are safe and usable for its citizens. Roads should be well-maintained, with up-to-date infrastructure to protect motorists and pedestrians. Proper signage and traffic lights should also be provided in order to ensure that drivers can easily understand their rights of way at all turns. Additionally, areas where large numbers of people will congregate, such as schools and parks, should have additional safety features available upon entry. Ultimately, it is the local council’s duty to make sure that its roads are free from harm so they can be used safely by everyone within the area.
What You Can Do to Advocate for Better Bike Infrastructure
Riding a bike is becoming more and more popular as an alternative form of transportation, yet the infrastructure to support it isn’t always there. That’s why advocating for better bike infrastructure is so important. You can join biking advocacy groups, write letters or emails to your elected councillors, and use social media to raise awareness about this issue. Participating in local events that promote bike lanes can also have a positive effect as statistics show bike lanes do reduce cycling accidents. Every bit helps when it comes to making our cities and towns safer for cyclists!
How to Stay Safe While Riding Your Bike
Cycling is an efficient and eco-friendly way to get around; however, it can also be dangerous if you do not take safety measures into account. The first step to a safe ride is always wearing a helmet. Make sure your bicycle has working brakes, lights in the winter, good tires, and that your helmet fits properly. Additionally, be sure to plan your route in advance; take streets that are well lit at night or trails with less traffic during the day. Be aware of your surroundings, look outside of blind spots several times and use hand signs before turning or changing lanes. Demonstrate defensive riding by constantly looking ahead for potential hazards such as potholes or cars parked in the bike lane. Making these considerations will enable you to enjoy an enriched cycling experience while keeping you safe on the road!
In conclusion, potholes are a serious danger for cyclists and can lead to severe injuries. To reduce the number of incidents, bike-friendly infrastructure should be established to make roads safer and easier to travel. Cyclists must also do their part by paying attention to the road surface, alerting authorities when they come across potholes, and wearing helmets. By advocating for better biking infrastructure and using defensive riding techniques, we can all work together to ensure the safety of cyclists on the road.
We are cyclists ourselves at Cycle SOS, and know full well how problematic potholes can be. In the majority of cases, we can assist you with a claim for injuries caused by an accident involving a pothole at no initial cost to you.
For more information or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.
