According to an ABC News report, a Houston man was crossing 529 Near Highway 6 around 10:30 riding a bike at night when he was struck by a car. As he attempted to retrieve his bicycle as a pedestrian, another driver struck him. He did not survive the second impact. The first vehicle stopped to assist. The second vehicle drove away but stopped further down the road when his car had issues.
Deadly Statistics of Riding a Bike at Night in Texas
This wreck demonstrates the dangers of traveling as a cyclist or a pedestrian on a major roadway like Highway 529 at night. Despite Houston’s efforts to make cycling safer, there were at least 16 documented bicyclists killed in Houston in 2023. A study done in 2012 showed that while only 31% of all bike accidents causing injury occurred between 6 pm and 6 am, 50% of the fatalities happened during this period. Additionally, about 40% of those fatalities involved intoxicated drivers. The sad reality is that we have a problem with drunk drivers on our roads at night and they just cannot see and react to bicycles. This makes riding a bike at night in Texas all the more dangerous.
Is it Legal To Ride a Bike at Night in Texas?
Is it Legal To Ride a Bike at Night in Texas?It is perfectly legal to ride a bicycle at night in Texas. Texas laws give bike riders the same rights and protections of the law as motor vehicles. There are some safety equipment requirements that Texas law imposes on bicycles. All bicycles wishing to ride at night must have the following:
- A white front headlamp that shines with such luminosity that it is visible for a minimum of 500 feet out from the front of the bicycle.
- A red reflector with sufficient reflective ability so as to be seen from 300 feet away behind the bicycle.
- A red lamp that shines sufficiently to be visible from 500 feet behind the bicycle.
Having the above makes you more visible and road-legal. That does not mean that riding at night is safe. If the driver is drunk, your lights may be mistaken for car lights or simply a misunderstood blur. Additionally, drivers both sober and drunk can fall victim to a sort of trance that nighttime driving and lights may cause known as the moth effect. If you cannot avoid riding at night, you should do everything in your power to make yourself more conspicuous. If you are hit by a drunk driver while riding at night, talk to a drunk driving accident lawyer in Houston about your rights.
Safety Tips for Nighttime Riding
Here is a list of some of the things you can do to make yourself more conspicuous when riding a bicycle at night.
- Inspect your bike before you ride at night to ensure you comply with Texas law regarding reflectors and lights and to make sure they all work. You should do a pre-trip inspection before every time you ride to ensure everything is still working.
- Direct your bright light beams angled down toward the road surface so they are not blinding to approaching cars but are still noticeable. This helps to avoid “dazzling” drivers and/or causing a moth effect.
- Wear bright colors or even a fluorescent riding vest that has reflective material on it.
- Add reflective strips to the sides of your bicycle.
- Put reflective tape on your bicycle helmet.
- Have backup lights – they make extra lights that can attach to wheel covers, the seat stem, pedals, and even handlebars.
- Ride on the right side of the road where drivers most expect to see a bicycle.
- Add reflective tape to the heels and/or sides of your shoes.
Each of the above things helps you be more visible. Remember, you want to get drivers’ attention when you ride a bike at night.
What to Do If You Are Hit at Night
No matter how many precautions you take, there is always a risk that an intoxicated or simply inattentive driver may hit you as you ride your bicycle at night. If this happens, obviously call the police and call for an ambulance if you are injured. Once things settle, talk to a Houston bicycle accident attorney to determine what your next course of action should be. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., have helped bicycle accident victims in Houston since 1979 to recover in the aftermath of auto-bicycle accidents.
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