Spring is in the air, and sunny days and cool breezes come with it. This time of year is the perfect time to get back on your bike and cruise around your neighborhood or favorite park, enjoying the fresh spring air and seasonal blossoms. Biking is a great way to spend a spring day. It’s a fun spring activity, but it is not without dangers. Bicycle riders are susceptible to many injuries. Head injuries, spinal injuries, and shattered bones are common bicycle accident injuries.
Your injuries may or may not be fully covered, depending on the sort of insurance you have. Consider contacting a bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. There are numerous potential causes of bicycle accidents, but taking care of your bike is one of the best ways to avoid them. If you decide to file a claim, a well-maintained bicycle may prove an asset in making your case successful.
Clean Your Bike and Check Your Safety Features
Cleaning your bike helps to keep it in good shape. By eliminating sweat and corrosive road spray, the frame and components will look brighter and have a longer lifespan. Wash your bike with mild soap and warm water. After washing, use a degreaser to remove any leftover grime. Once you’re done, your bike will look better and be safer.
You’ll also want to ensure your safety. Before taking off, go through all of your bike’s safety features to ensure they are in proper working order. The last thing you want is to encounter a dangerous situation mid-ride only to have all your safety mechanisms fail. Make sure you check your brake levers, brake pads, and chain. If your bike has lights or reflectors, ensure they aren’t broken and have functioning batteries.
To check your breaks, pull on your brake levers and make sure they’re engaged on both sides of each wheel’s brake pads. The brakes should not lock up but instead completely stop the wheel, and a broken or sticky brake cable should be replaced. Check the tension on your bicycle chain. Make sure the chain is not too loose, or else it’ll fall off while you’re riding, putting you in danger. The chain might bind and ruin your gears if it is too tight. Chains can stretch over time, so replace them as often as necessary.
Tune Up Your Bike or Get It Professionally Serviced
Even after sitting around all winter, bikes will still need a tune-up to put everything back in shape. You could work on your bike yourself or have it tuned up at your favorite local bike shop. Every cyclist in your area may be looking to start riding again, so spring is typically the busiest season for bike shops. If you do decide to get your bike professionally serviced, call ahead and make a reservation.
If you intend to tune up your bike yourself, there are several things you should do:
- Replace your tires if the middle tread seems worn or flattened
- Inspect your cables and housing if your bike has a mechanical shifting transmission or cable-actuated brakes
- Tighten your wheel spokes, but be careful not to overtighten them
- Apply a dry lubricant to all the gears, chain, any moving parts of the crankset, and the wheel bearings on each side
If you are unsure of how to do any of this even after watching some guides, it’s probably for the best to take it to a bike shop. You’ll want to both ensure that you don’t break any components as well as ensure your safety by making sure it’s done right.
Make Sure Your Bike’s Attachments Are Securely Fastened
You can attach many different things to your bike that serve different purposes. Some attachments may be for aesthetic purposes while others are more functional. Regardless, you should ensure that they are securely fastened to your bike so that they do not fly off while you’re riding around. Common bike attachments include:
- Lights
- Bells
- Baskets
- Child carriers
- Dog carriers
- Seats
Examine the condition of anything attached to your bicycle. Also, double-check that your attachments are securely fastened to your bike’s frame or rack according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Before using your seat, make sure it is properly tightened and adjusted. A sagging seat can cause problems and make for an unpleasant ride. Replace your seat immediately if the seat cover is worn out and the springs are exposed.
Discuss Your Legal Options with an Experienced Utah Bike Accident Lawyer
Maintaining your bike can cost you a lot of time, effort, and money, but it’s essential to do these things to stay safe while you’re out riding. However, good bike maintenance isn’t always enough to keep you safe. Riding alongside cars can be dangerous for cyclists as most bicycling accidents occur because of dangerous encounters with irresponsible drivers.
Feller & Wendt, LLC wants to help you recover damages for your bicycle accident. Irresponsible drivers must be held responsible for any damage they have caused to you and your bike. Our firm has successfully handled many bike accident cases and is well-equipped to offer you competent legal counsel for these types of situations. Concerned Utah cyclists should call (801) 499-5060 or fill out our contact form to schedule a complimentary legal consultation.
