There’s a saying among motorcycle riders, “Dress for the slide, not the ride.” That means when you go for a ride choose your clothes expecting that you might be in a crash. If you pick the right outfit, a serious crash could cause only minor injuries. If you pick the wrong outfit, a crash could lead to severe road rash, open wounds, or a serious head injury.
While cyclists aren’t going nearly as fast, the danger is the same and there’s a very good reason why even the most experienced cyclist should dress for the slide, not the ride.
Reducing Injuries
Even in a low-speed crash, wearing the wrong clothes could send you to the hospital with a bad case of road rash, to say nothing of other debris that might become embedded in your skin. To prevent these injuries, it’s advised that cyclists wear long-sleeve shirts and pants. These don’t have to be motorcycle leather, but they should be thick enough to protect your skin in a crash.
Additionally, you may want to invest in knee and elbow protection. These will help you brace in a fall and, used properly, can significantly reduce the risk of broken bones in a bike crash.
Helmets Matter
As we discussed previously, helmets play an enormous role in reducing injuries from a bicycle crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bike helmets reduce the risk of a head injury by 60%. If that wasn’t enough reason to wear a helmet, consider that 80% of cyclists killed in a bike crash were not wearing their helmets.
When it comes to getting to your destination, safety should take priority over appearances. While a bike helmet and protective gear may not be the most fashionable thing, it’s clear that they are exceptionally effective at reducing injuring and saving lives.
If you or someone you love were involved in a cycling accident, you need affordable representation from a team you can trust. If you’d like an experienced New York City injury accident attorney from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices to evaluate your case, don’t hesitate to call us at (718) 690-3132 or send us an email.