Taking out an electric bike, or e-bike, in Las Vegas can be dangerous due to having to share the road with careless and reckless drivers. The best practice for preventing accidents while on an e-bike is defensive riding. Like defensive driving, this e-biking technique can help you predict and prevent bicycle accidents. It can vastly improve your safety while on an electric bicycle.
What Is Defensive Riding?
Defensive riding refers to a set of techniques that a bicyclist can use to minimize the risk of accidents while riding on roads and trails. It centers around being constantly vigilant for potential hazards so that a biker can be proactive about avoiding a crash, rather than relying on other road users to drive safely.
With defensive riding, an e-bike rider should assume that drivers will behave negligently (carelessly) and break the law, rather than assuming that they are careful and will obey traffic laws. This assumption will help an e-biker anticipate potential hazards and be ready to react to avoid dangerous circumstances at any time.
Defensive Riding Strategies and Techniques on an Electric Bike
Defensive e-bike riding refers to a constant state of being prepared for potential crash situations. You should scan the road in front of you, be aware of where other road users are at all times, and be prepared for them to break the law and enter your lane. That way, you will never be caught off-guard or unprepared to take action to avoid a collision.
E-bike defensive riding techniques include:
- Ride your electric bike as close to the right-hand side of the road as is safe and practicable, but not too close to risk hitting a curb or gutter.
- Never assume that a motor vehicle driver sees you; assume the opposite. Lack of visibility is a common problem surrounding e-bike and bicycle accidents.
- Constantly scan the road ahead of you for potential hazards, including parked or moving cars, other bicyclists, pedestrians, potholes, animals, and road debris.
- Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid distractions such as cell phone use and headphones while e-biking.
- Come to a complete stop at intersections and make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you, even if you have the right-of-way.
- Do your best to stay out of a driver’s blind spot. Speed up or slow down to avoid hovering directly next to a motor vehicle.
- If you are biking to the right of a vehicle, be alert to the driver’s movements and turn signals. Prepare to brake if the car starts to turn right on top of you.
Be as visible and predictable as you can to motorists while riding an e-bike in Las Vegas. Maintaining a constant state of alertness can make it easier to detect potential risks and react to them appropriately to prevent an e-bike accident.
Other E-Bike Safety Tips
In addition to defensive e-bike riding techniques, you can protect yourself from harm with the following safety tips:
- Always wear a bicycle helmet, even if local laws do not require one.
- Obey all of Nevada’s traffic laws, including following road signs and signals.
- Use a designated bicycle lane or bike path rather than the road, when available.
- Leave adequate following distance between your e-bike and other vehicles.
- Improve your visibility to drivers by wearing bright colors and reflective clothing.
- Avoid riding your electric bicycle at night in Las Vegas as much as possible.
If you get injured in an e-bike accident despite your best efforts to stay out of harm’s way, contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a free case evaluation with a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer.