The 4 Essential Safety Tips When Riding a Bicycle
Essential Safety Tips When Riding A Bicycle
If you’re looking for a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air while also getting some exercise, biking should be high on the list.
It’s an easy way to stay in shape that is also fun. You can ride for pleasure or to get to and from school or work. However, there are some safety risks to be aware of.
According to personal injury attorney Marc Lamber, bicycle accidents are on the rise. This isn’t to say it should be avoided for being unsafe. It just means you need to know some safety essentials to avoid injury.
In this article, we will go over several tips to help you enjoy your bike to the fullest.
1.
Wear the Right Gear
The first step in ensuring a safe bike ride is choosing the right equipment. Even the bike itself plays a part in your safety.
The bike you choose should fit you well. A bike that’s too big or too small can be hard to control. The type of bike also matters.
For example, a road bike is best for smooth, paved surfaces, while a mountain bike is great for rough, off-road trails.
Wearing a helmet is definitely the most important safety gear you can wear. A good helmet can save your life.
When choosing a helmet, make sure it fits snugly and is certified for safety. Adjust the straps so the helmet sits level on your head and doesn’t move around.
Gloves are also important because they protect your hands and improve grip. Elbow and knee pads guard against scrapes and injuries in case of a fall.
2.
Follow the Rules
When you’re on a bike, it’s important to understand and follow the rules of the road. Very often, you’ll be sharing the road with cars and trucks so you need to know how to ride in that environment.
This means stopping at stop signs and red lights and following the same traffic laws as motorists. Following the rules will keep you safe and avoid making a big mistake.
Always ride with the flow of traffic, not against it. Riding against traffic is dangerous since it’s harder for drivers to see you and for you to see them. Plus, it’s against the law in many places.
Riding the right way helps drivers expect where you are.
One of the reasons that it can be dangerous to ride on the street is that drivers don’t know what you are going to do.
This is why it’s important to use hand signals when maneuvering in traffic.
3.
Stay Visible and Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Being visible to motorists is a critical part of bike safety. To ensure you’re seen, especially during dawn, dusk, or at night, make sure to wear reflective gear.
Reflective vests, jackets, or strips on your clothing and helmet can catch a driver’s eye.
Lights on your bicycle and even your helmet will go a long way to help drivers and pedestrians see you riding.
A white light on the front and a red light on the back of your bike help drivers see you from a distance and understand which direction you are traveling.
Staying aware of your surroundings is just as important as being visible. Always keep an eye out for what’s ahead, and regularly glance behind you.
This is known as scanning and helps you see hazards well in advance so you can avoid them.
Avoid wearing headphones and listening to music while you are riding. You not only need to see what’s around you but hear it. Sirens and honking horns alert you to danger so you need to hear them.
4.
Mind the Road Surface
It’s not just others on the road you need to watch out for. You need to watch out for the road itself. Potholes, wet leaves, and gravel can send you flying off of your bike leading to a potential serious injury.
Potholes can damage your bike or cause you to lose control. Wet leaves are slippery, and gravel can make your bike skid. Always keep a lookout for these hazards and steer around them when you can.
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Handling rough terrain requires special techniques. If you’re on a bumpy road or trail, stand slightly on the pedals. This helps your legs act like shock absorbers.
Watch your speed on rough terrain so you can maintain control. Going slower can give you more control and time to react to unexpected bumps or holes.
Do you have any other essential safety tips when riding a bicycle?
Let me know, til then—cheers m’deres!
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
