Why Are Massachusetts Cyclists more Vulnerable in the Fall?

Put damp leaves. Although the leaves look beautiful on the trees, they provide several risks to bikers when they begin to fall. Wet leaves pose one of the most significant risks since they can cause your tires to lose all traction, which can cause skidding and falls. Contact a Boston personal injury lawyer if you need help with your claim.

Moist leaves can be harmful since you might not even realize they are wet. In addition to being soaked from rain, leaves can become wet from frost. If the temperature falls sufficiently at night, there is a decent possibility of ice on the roadways or leaves that may have already melted when you are out cycling.

Fresh leaves are a thing, but as they degrade on the roads and bike lanes, they offer a different threat. When combined with water or frost, the oily layer that forms when leaves decay makes surfaces slick. The more bikes and cars trample on and crush the leaves, the slicker they might get.

Another risk presented by leaves is that they conceal potentially disastrous curbs or potholes. Potholes that send you flying off your bike could surprise you as you ride through leaves at an average cycling speed. Riding carefully through leaves is essential for several reasons, including the possibility that they may occasionally conceal a pothole or other road hazard.

Wet leaves pose four significant risks to Massachusetts cyclists:

• You can slide when driving through damp leaves, especially when turning.
• Whenever you brake on wet leaves, you may find yourself skidding.
• Traction: If you go over wet leaves while accelerating or traveling uphill or downhill, you risk losing traction.
• Hidden dangers: Potholes and other hazardous circumstances might be hidden by foliage.

When cycling in wet leaves:

• Increase your braking distance and prepare to stop very gradually.
• Be especially careful around corners because they often have the most considerable accumulation of leaves, and you are more prone to stumble there. Try to steer clear of any sudden curves.
• Check the weather; even if it has not poured in a few days, leaves may still be moist and slippery because October nights can bring frost.
• If you can, steer clear of speeding and stopping on leaves altogether.

Data on Boston cyclists also suggest the following:

Around 3 o’clock, there is a noticeable surge in the number of bike accidents.

A warmer climate increases the likelihood of an accident. Accidents typically increase as the temperature rises above 50 °F.

The most common months for bike accidents in Massachusetts are May through November.

Read Also: How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After an Accident