Child Bicycle Safety: How Parents Can Reduce Maryland Bike Accident Risks This Spring

Spring weather and increased daylight hours give children more time to play outdoors on weekends and after school. Riding bikes is a favorite activity and provides hours of fun, adventure, and physical fitness, but parents need to be aware of the risks.

Bicycle accidents in Maryland happen on an unfortunately frequent basis, and children are the most common victims. This spring, our experienced Maryland bicycle accident attorneys want you to be aware of how they happen and ways to protect your child’s safety.

Reckless Driver Behaviors That Put Young Maryland Cyclists at Risk

According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office, nearly 800 bicycle accidents occur throughout the state each year. They are more common in warm-weather months, and children are the most at-risk age group.

It’s important for parents to supervise young cyclists and teach them the rules of the road, but most bicycle accidents in Maryland are due to reckless drivers. Common causes include:

• Failing to check for bicyclists when pulling out of driveways and parking lots.
• Not stopping at intersections and crosswalks.
• Speeding in areas where children often ride, such as near schools or parks.
• Being distracted, drowsy, or under the influence.
• Not giving cyclists adequate space on the road.

Spring bike accidents involving children can cause devastating injuries, impacting them and their families for long after. Under Maryland law, you have the right to hold at-fault drivers accountable.

Spring Bike Safety Tips Every Maryland Parent Should Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports nearly 130,000 children visit emergency rooms each year for bicycle-related injuries. For parents, keeping young riders safe starts before they ever leave the driveway. The following helps reduce the risks:

• Make sure your child’s bike is the appropriate size and provide regular maintenance.
• Insist your child wears a properly fitted helmet on every ride, no exceptions.
• Have children to ride with, rather than against, traffic, and follow all road rules.
• Equip bikes with reflectors and have your child wear bright clothing, especially on rides near dusk.
• Review safe routes in advance and avoid roads with heavy traffic or no bike lanes.
• Remind children not to use headphones, look at a phone, or engage in other distractions.

Even with every precaution in place, accidents happen. If a negligent driver injured your child, our Maryland bicycle accident injury attorneys are here to help. We provide caring support and help you get compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Contact Our Experienced Maryland Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today

No parent should have to watch their child suffer because of someone else’s carelessness. At Berman Sobin Gross LLP, we protect the rights of children and their parents in Maryland when bicycle accidents occur.

While you focus on your family, we fight to get you the maximum compensation needed to recover. If your child was hurt in a spring bike accident, don’t wait to get help. Contact our experienced Maryland bicycle accident attorneys and request a consultation today.

Sources:

zerodeathsmd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FFY23_Bicycle_ProgramAreaBrief-Data_Final.pdf

cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/bicycle-safety.html