10 Safety Tips For Tampa Bicyclists & Electric Scooter Riders

The city of Tampa has been in the news for some interesting reasons lately – things like the Antonio Brown exit from the Bucs and having one of the hottest housing markets in the nation have garnered both local and nationwide attention – but another item bringing Tampa notoriety in recent months (and years) has been the amount of Tampa bicyclists and electric scooter riders who are being injured and killed on Tampa streets.

The AAA named the Tampa Bay area as the deadliest metro area for bicyclists in Florida. Data shows that one Tampa bicyclist is involved in a traffic accident every single day And it seems equally, if not more so, dangerous to ride electric scooters, or e-scooters, which are relatively new to the city of Tampa, having been introduced in a pilot program in 2019; while there isn’t data available on the exact number of accidents and injuries that have occurred since then, it’s significant – one news station reported that Tampa General Hospital saw scooter-related injuries go up by more than 700%. At least one Tampa rider was killed when the scooter collided with a tanker truck in 2019, and other fatalities have been reported.

Riding a bicycle or e-scooter in Tampa to get around is a popular transportation option in the city and surrounding neighborhoods – the weather is usually really nice, we have great scenic views all around, and it’s easier than trying to find (and pay for) parking. However, these transportation methods come with risks. As Tampa personal injury lawyers who have helped hundreds of injured accident victims deal with the aftermath of their injuries and seek compensation, we wanted to give you some safety tips you could use to minimize your risk while riding!

Here are 10 safety tips for Tampa bicyclists and electric scooter riders!

1. Wear a helmet!

   This is probably THE most important safety tip on this list, and maybe the easiest, too! Helmets save lives – full stop. Research shows that wearing a helmet on a bicycle or e-scooter reduces the risk of head, brain, and severe brain injury by 66 – 86% for all ages. In Tampa, it doesn’t seem to be very “in vogue” to wear a helmet, especially while on an electric scooter, and it is not mandatory by law, but it’s the smartest thing you can do. Even if you’re going slowly, even if you plan on riding on the sidewalks, you never know what will happen. Another driver/bicyclist/scooterist’s actions could cause you to fall, and it only takes one blow to the head to change your life forever. Please wear a helmet, Tampa!

2. Check your bike/scooter before you go!

   This is another extremely important safety tip for Tampa bicyclists and electric scooter riders. If your vehicle isn’t working properly, you won’t be able to control it or react quickly if circumstances change while riding, so you want to prevent that hazard before it occurs. Experts suggest a quick “ABC” check: check the Air in your tires, that the Brakes are in working order, and that the Chain (not applicable to scooters) is free of debris. For scooters, check the charge to make sure you have enough to get you where you need to go.

3. Drive sober!

   This is another tip that to us – much like wearing a helmet – seems to go without saying, but especially in a party city like Tampa, it’s worth mentioning. Never get on a bike or scooter while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Ever. It IS illegal, it’s as dangerous for you and others as operating a car in the same manner, and it’s just not smart. Many people think it’s more like walking than driving, but you’re going much faster on a bike or scooter than when you are just a pedestrian (and even walking while intoxicated can be hazardous on Tampa streets).

4. Be visible!

   If you’re going to ride at night, make sure drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists and e-scooter riders can see you clearly. This means wearing bright, reflective clothing, turning on a headlight, and avoiding dark areas (some Tampa streets are not well-lit). Don’t assume that cars can see you!

5. Follow traffic laws; signal before turning; be predictable!

   This safety tip for Tampa bicyclists and electric scooter riders goes with the last one; make sure that the people around you know where you are and where you are going. Be clear about what you’re going to do next! If you’re riding a bike or scooter, which are not equipped with turn signals, make sure you signal with your hand, and not just as you are turning. Give the people around you time to register that. Don’t just cross the street at will, even if it seems like no cars are coming. Wait for the lights to change and for the pedestrian signal to light up! Follow the laws, and you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding injury.

6. Give the right of way to pedestrians!

   Pedestrians always have the right of way! It’s the law, and the safe thing to do. If you are riding a bike or a motorized scooter, you cannot assume pedestrians will move for you, and you can’t zip past them without warning. You need to give them an audible sign before passing.

7. Consider your surroundings

   Always be aware of what lies in front of you and what the conditions are like when you’re riding. Is the ground wet? Give yourself extra time to brake, as your wheels may be slick. Is the sidewalk perfectly smooth or are there bumps? Particularly when riding a scooter in Tampa, you need to watch for those. Is there a bit of gravel or sand on the path that could cause you to skid? Avoid it.

8. Don’t use headphones!

   When you listen to music while riding, you block out your auditory awareness of your surroundings, which can be extremely dangerous in Tampa. You will fail to hear – at the necessary volume – a car honking, someone speaking to you, another bicyclist or scooter rider coming up behind you, a runner, etc. These are signals you need to instantly notice in order to stay safe on the roads! Even just leaving one headphone in can impede your awareness. Just don’t do it!

9. Keep both hands on the handlebars!

   Riding with both hands on the handlebars gives you the right amount of control. If you’re holding your phone in the other, to text or navigate, or if you’re just trying to show off, you may not be able to react quickly enough if something comes across your path or if your bike or scooter starts to veer.

10. Don’t trust drivers!

    You can follow all of the Tampa bicyclists and electric scooter riders’ safety tips on this list, operate your bicycle or scooter exactly as intended, be extremely cautious, and still be injured or killed by the negligent actions of someone else not following the rules. You need to act as though other people are not going to follow the rules in order to stay the safest. For example, if you’re crossing at a crosswalk, even if you have the light and the full right of way, don’t assume drivers will stop for you. They may be texting or speeding, and they may not stop, as our team has seen. Wait and make eye contact before going.

Injured while riding a bike or scooter in Tampa? Call our local attorneys for a free consultation!

Even while following all of these safety tips, a careless driver may still leave you or a loved one injured after an accident. That’s when you need to call lawyers who focus on advocating for the rights of injured Tampa bicyclists and electric scooter riders! We will explain your legal options and fight for you to get maximum compensation. You never pay us unless we win your case! To date, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for accident victims. Call The Florida Law Group’s Tampa office today to schedule a FREE consultation with our winning legal team and get started.