Bicycle Assist

Easy practical support for cyclists living in and around Greater Manchester

Bicycle Assist is a support service from PotterReesDolan, providing legal advice for cyclists.

We're passionate about cycling and believe that cyclists should have as much support as other road users, particularly following an accident.

• We highlight insurance products designed for cyclists
• We inform you how to prepare yourself in the event of an accident
• We provide you with free initial legal advice following an accident and about the legal process which follows

Our Bicycle Assist page is a source of information any keen cyclist should consider as we cover everything you need to know about what to do before and after an accident. We also post relevant news stories and blogs from the cycling world which may be of interest to anyone with a love of cycling.

Below is some useful information for cyclists.

Insurance

How to protect yourself

We strongly advise you to have insurance cover which can protect you in many ways:

• If your bike is stolen you can recover its value or replace it
• If you hurt someone or damage property when cycling, your insurance company will pay, not you
• If you are off work, sometimes your insurance company will pay your lost wages
• If you have a compensation claim, your insurance company may pay your legal costs

You need to check carefully what is covered by the insurance policy and decide if it is adequate. Remember that someone might bring a compensation claim against you!

Also, check the contents policy for your house as this may already provide you with useful cover.

We identify some insurance products specifically for cyclists below which offer good cover and could be a good starting point:

YellowJersey

This offers a super simple, super comprehensive insurance designed for cyclists racing and training in the UK and Worldwide. YellowJersey bicycle insurance covers your bicycle for theft, crash damage and also covers you for third party liability whilst cycling. It is worldwide as standard, covers racing and sportives as standard and it includes a 50% multi-bike discount for individual or family fleets.

Cycleguard

Cycleguard offers different levels of cover and different options, for example, public liability cover only, Cycleguard Rescue, Cycleguard Triathlon and Cycleguard 4 Kids.

Accidents

Some golden rules:

• Ride responsibly on the road and follow the rules. Car drivers won’t respect if we jump lights and ride on the pavement
• We have all cracked our heads on tarmac so it makes sense to wear a helmet. It’s often uncomfortable and sometimes inconvenient but it’s nothing compared to the sometimes terrible consequence of a preventable serious brain injury
• Be noticed: wear fluorescent tops, leggings, glasses and whatever takes your fancy. Invest in powerful lights front and back.
• Be watchful: vehicles, pedestrians and other cyclists do strange and unpredictable things!
• If you have an accident, try to get details of any other vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian involved and the names of anyone who witnessed what happened. This might be the difference between recovering the value of your bike from a thoughtless driver and you having to pay for his broken wing mirror and scratched side panel.

Legal Advice

Claiming Compensation

If you have been seriously injured and someone else was to blame for the accident, you may be entitled to compensation, even if you were partly at fault.

You may be compensated for the injury itself as well as any financial losses. These can include:

• Loss of earnings
• Expenses relating to medical treatment
• Costs of repairs or damage to clothing
• And, in more serious cases, cost of rehabilitation
• Aids and equipment
• Suitable accommodation

For free legal advice about claiming compensation, speak to us on 0800 027 2557 or email us on info@prd.uk.com

Welfare Benefits

If you have been seriously injured and have to take time off work, you may be entitled to state benefits.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a range of welfare benefits but the rules and application forms can be complicated.

That’s where we come in. For further information, contact 0800 027 2557 for free advice on benefits, or take a look at the Welfare Benefits section on our website.

Minor Injuries

If you have been in an accident and it wasn’t serious or caused you to take time off work, you can do the following:

• Check your bike insurance or home contents insurance policy – you might be able to replace or reimburse the cost of your bike, equipment or clothing
• See if your employer might have insurance cover
• Check your employment contract for benefits you have when you are off work e.g. sickness pay