Staying Safe in New York Bike Lanes
Bicycling has seen a recent resurgence nationwide, and it is not hard to see why. After all, it is a more affordable, eco-friendly, and healthy alternative to driving. Unfortunately, biking also comes with its own set of dangers. Do you know how to stay safe in New York bike lanes?
Bike Lane Risk Factors
Despite your best efforts, it can sometimes be impossible to stay in the bike lane. Cars, trucks, construction, and other objects may obstruct your path. Moreover, it is not uncommon for drivers to be unfamiliar with bike lane rules. All of this can put bicyclists at an increased risk for vehicular collisions.
Cars along the street can easily be obtrusive for bicyclists, especially if the drivers or passengers open the car doors into the bike lane without warning. Drivers may also be poorly parked or 
take their time unloading cargo—leaving bicyclists with little choice but to maneuver around them.
Other staples of city life, such as construction and manholes, can also cause problems in the bike lane. Furthermore, the streets may also become filled with debris on garbage day—by both residents and business owners alike. Plus, construction and maintenance can be improperly marked or not marked at all. These can pose hidden dangers to unwitting bicyclists.
Cars and the Bike Lane
Unfortunately, drivers do not always respect the rules of the bike lane—especially when traffic is particularly congested. Some drivers do not want to share the road, while others never learned how to navigate around bicyclists.
In any case, negligent drivers may treat the bike lane as a turning lane or even as their own personal lane of traffic. They may also not think to check their mirrors before merging into the bike lane. It is easy to see how this can be problematic—especially when there are bicyclists in the lane already.
Preventing Bike Lane Accidents
Visibility is key to preventing bike lane accidents. Avoid riding in any blind spots, as doing so will increase your risk of being hit by a turning car. If you cannot tell whether or not you are in a vehicle’s blind spots, remember this: If you cannot see them, then they cannot see you.
Take your time when navigating around obstructions. Keep your patience and your temper under control. Rushing will only make it more likely for you to get injured, especially true if you are sharing the lane with other bicyclists. Wait until you can safely merge with car traffic, or walk your bike around obstructions on the sidewalk. You may also want to refer to the League of American Bicyclists’ Smart Cycling Tips.
Seeking Legal Help
Were you or a loved one recently injured in a bicycling accident? We at Gattuso & Ciottoli, PLLC may be able to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced New York bicycling accident attorneys. We draw on over 50 years of combined legal experience to serve personal injury victims as best we can. We proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn.