Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.
It’s the time of year when people in and around Chicago start getting outside to shake off the rust from the winter and get back into their fitness routines. If you will be walking, jogging or riding your bike on the roads, here are some tips for staying safe this spring.
Walkers, runners and cyclists should wear high-visibility clothing when exercising on the roads. This is particularly important in the early morning and evening hours, but it applies during broad daylight as well. Dark and muted colors can easily blend in with your surroundings, making you less noticeable to drivers.
Drivers are also more likely to see you if you are where you’re supposed to be. If you’re downtown, use the crosswalks instead of jaywalking. If you are outside of the city and there are no bike lanes or sidewalks, follow the basic rules: Bike on the right side of the road, but walk and run on the left. For bicycle riders, following the rules also means observing stop signs and traffic signals.
Always be on the lookout for oncoming vehicles. Never blindly enter a roadway without first checking for traffic from both directions. Look left, right, and left again. If there are no vehicles in sight, then it’s safe to cross.
Since you will be burning more energy, you will need to fuel your body accordingly. Lack of nutrition and dehydration can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, and fatigue. These can each lead to dangerous situations when you are exercising on or near the road.
Just like distracted driving is dangerous, so is distracted exercising. When you are walking, it is easy to get engrossed in your texting conversations, emails, apps, and social media updates. If you are wearing headphones, you can feel disconnected from the world entirely. While this can help pass the time and make your exercise more enjoyable, it can also put you at greater risk for being involved in an accident. Whenever you are near passing motor vehicles, it is better to play it safe and remain attentive to what’s going on around you.
In addition to keeping an eye on traffic, also be on the lookout for hazards on the ground in front of you. Cracks in the pavement, slippery surfaces, and unstable stairs can all lead to harmful slip and fall accidents.
With these tips in mind, you can enjoy the beautiful Chicago springtime and work toward safely meeting your fitness goals.
The personal injury lawyers at Malman Law provide experienced representation for individuals who have been injured in pedestrian and bicycle accidents. If you were involved in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, truck accidents, car accidents, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases in Chicago, IL.
Years of experience: +30 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active and authorized to practice law—Last Registered Year: 2024
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