Biking Risks In Resort Towns
Resort Towns Can Be Deceptively Dangerous
Resort towns are often marketed as bike and motorcycle-friendly, and in many ways, they are. Places like Hilton Head, Cape Cod, or Lake Tahoe boast scenic roads, bike paths, coastal trails, and rental options on every corner. But don’t let the laid-back vibes fool you—resort towns can be deceptively dangerous for cyclists. If you have been injured while biking, a motorcycle accident lawyer can explain your rights and provide legal guidance.
Below, our colleagues from Hayhurst Law PLLC discuss biking risks in resort towns.
Whether you’re vacationing with your family or commuting in a tourism hotspot, it’s important to know the risks that come with biking in busy destination areas and how to stay safe while sharing the road with distracted drivers, unfamiliar tourists, and unpredictable traffic patterns.
Why Are Resort Towns So Hazardous?
There’s a perfect storm of risk factors in resort destinations:
- Unfamiliar Drivers: Tourists are often driving rental cars and focusing more on GPS directions or scenic views than traffic laws.
- Pedestrian Traffic: Beaches, festivals, and boardwalks increase foot traffic, making it harder for cyclists to navigate safely.
- Confusing Infrastructure: Some towns have bike lanes or shared-use paths, but they might be poorly marked or suddenly disappear.
- Alcohol Use: Vacationers may be drinking and then hopping on a bike or back in a car—both dangerous moves.
Bicycle Rentals And Inexperience
Bike rental businesses thrive in resort towns, but many renters are casual or first-time riders. That means more people on the roads who don’t know proper hand signals, aren’t aware of the rules of the road, or simply aren’t confident in traffic.
Plus, rental bikes aren’t always well-maintained. Worn tires, loose brakes, or missing lights can contribute to accidents that leave riders seriously injured, and liability can get messy when third-party companies are involved.
Children Are Especially Vulnerable
Family vacations often include biking with children, and while that can be a wonderful memory, it’s also a huge safety concern. Kids are harder to see, more likely to swerve, and less able to react to hazards in time.
Even on bike paths, children may dart into intersections or ride against traffic. Parents should make sure children understand basic biking rules and always wear helmets, even for short rides around a resort area.
Who’s At Fault When Accidents Happen?
Fault depends on several factors:
- Did the driver fail to yield to a cyclist in a crosswalk or path?
- Was the cyclist obeying all posted signs and riding in a legal area?
- Could poor signage or infrastructure have contributed to the crash?
In resort areas, liability might also involve rental companies, local governments, or hospitality venues, especially if a crash occurs on private property like a hotel driveway or beachfront access road.
How To Stay Safe While Biking In Vacation Areas
- Ride Defensively: Assume drivers don’t see you and ride predictably.
- Use Lights And Helmets: Even during the day, these help with visibility.
- Avoid Distractions: No headphones or texting while biking.
- Plan Routes In Advance: Stick to marked trails and avoid congested roads.
Final Thoughts
Riding a bike of any kind in a resort town can be a great way to explore, but it comes with hidden risks. Crowded streets, unfamiliar drivers, high pedestrian traffic, and unfamiliar open roads create a unique set of dangers for cyclists. If you’re riding while on vacation, especially with kids, stay alert, follow the rules, don’t assume everyone around you is paying attention, and be extra mindful when you are on unfamiliar roads. Because in a place where everyone’s trying to relax, one moment of distraction can change everything. Contact a lawyer if someone you know has been injured in an accident.