Biking is a great way to get around. It’s easy on the environment, an excellent source of exercise, and it eliminates the hassles of finding parking spaces. Residents of Southern Nevada have expressed greater interest in biking, and the government has responded with more routes and facilities. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) recently released its new bike map showcasing more than 1,000 miles of bike lanes. The latest additions represent a 13.3% increase in bike facilities since 2013.
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The release of the new map comes on the heels of the RTC’s new Bike Share program, which offers 21 docking stations and 180 bicycles placed throughout downtown Las Vegas. The downtown area has also developed an expansive network of dedicated green bike lanes.
The new bike lanes, paved paths, and shared roadways make it far easier to get around on two wheels in Las Vegas, but there are still challenges—particularly in highly congested areas like the Strip. Traffic is heavy, and drivers may be distracted or drunk. Newcomers may be unfamiliar with the city’s bike lane setup, and even long-time residents may still be struggling to learn to share the road properly. So the takeaway is that better days are here for cyclists, but dangers still remain.
If you are biking in Vegas, here are a few tips for safe cycling:
- Walk the bike if you need to. If things get too crowded or you feel unsafe in some way, there’s no shame in getting off of your bike and walking it until things clear up.
- Use route-planning tools. There are a number of apps to help you find the most bike-friendly routes (including Google Map’s cycling feature).
- Watch out for car doors. They can open on you at any moment.
- Can you see cars’ mirrors? If not, they can’t see you.
- Beware of big vehicles. It’s tough for big rigs to see you, even if you are in a bike lane. Don’t take any chances when trying to pass trucks.
- Avoid headphones. Sure, it’s nice to listen to music while you peddle, but ditch them in urban areas where you need to engage all of your senses.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume that they can see you. Make eye contact to ensure that they know you are there.
If you are involved in a bike accident, contact Tingey Injury Law Firm for experienced accident attorneys in Summerlin, Henderson, or Las Vegas. Personal injury law is complex and ever-changing, and you need an attorney who can help you understand your rights and get the compensation that you are entitled to.