Traffic Laws for Bicyclists in Seguin
When riding a bicycle, you are at far greater risk of being seriously injured in an accident than if you were in a car. Knowing the traffic laws for bicyclists in Seguin can help you stay safe out there. However, if you are injured because of a driver’s negligence, talk with an experienced bike accident attorney at Felix Gonzalez Law as soon as possible.
What Are the Bike Laws?
When traveling on public roads in Texas, the law considers a bicycle to be a vehicle, meaning that Seguin cyclists need to ride in the same direction as traffic and follow all the rules of the road, including the ones that apply to yielding the right-of-way. When riding a bike and going slower than traffic, cyclists need to stay as far to the right of the road as possible. If this is not safe, they should move to the safest, right-most position.
If the lane is less than the standard 14 feet wide and does not have a bike lane attached to it, cyclists have the right to take their own lane. They should only leave the right-most side of the road or the right-most lane when preparing to turn left, passing someone else, or avoiding hazards.
While cyclists can ride two abreast, they cannot interrupt the normal and reasonable flow of traffic. They are also required to use hand signals when preparing to stop or turn.
Riding Bicycles at Night
When choosing to ride a bike at night, it is important to know that the risk factors increase. Cyclists are required to outfit their bikes with specific safety equipment, including a white light visible from at least 500 feet at the front and a red reflector visible from at least 300 feet or a red light visible from at least 500 feet at the back. Knowing and following bicycle laws, including the Texas Transportation Code § 7.551, is the surest way to share the roads safely with motorists.
Bicycle Helmets
Neither the State of Texas nor the City of Seguin has a bike helmet law, which means that cyclists do not have to wear one. However, it is definitely in their best interests to do so, as cyclists are always safer when wearing a helmet.
Collisions Caused by a Driver’s Negligence
When riding a bike, cyclists can be hard to see. When combined with the fact that they have nothing to protect them from the impact of an accident, cyclists are in a very dangerous position. Common forms of driver negligence that make roadways far more dangerous for cyclists include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failure to follow traffic laws or yield
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Fatigued driving
- Aggressive driving
The truth is that too many drivers in Seguin simply fail to look for, fail to see, and fail to accommodate cyclists safely, despite traffic laws.
Contact a Seguin Bike Accident Lawyer Today To Discuss Traffic Laws
A trusted lawyer can help a cyclist recover compensation for their losses, which may include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, or damages for wrongful death after a fatal bike crash. Our attorneys accurately calculate damages and fight for full compensation.
Knowing the traffic laws for bicyclists in Seguin is essential for your safety. However, if you have been harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is time to seek legal guidance.
The dedicated attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law are committed to building a strong claim that helps you obtain the compensation you deserve. Learn more by contacting us online or giving us a call today.
