Bikes can be a fun way to get around and stay fit at the same time. Unfortunately, many people are injured every year in bicycle accidents throughout the country. To lessen the severity of these accidents, many companies provide safety gear to help protect your body. Each piece of safety gear can protect you in a different way.
Helmet
The helmet is the quintessential piece of safety gear when riding your bike. In fact, many states have passed laws making it illegal to ride a bike without wearing a helmet. In 2008 alone, 714 people were killed in bicycle-related accidents. Of those killed, 91 percent were not wearing helmets, states the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Helmets help protect one of your most vital organs, your brain. Helmets provide a barrier between your head and the road, helping cushion against blunt force trauma and concussion during an accident.
Reflective Clothing
Reflective clothing is another piece of safety gear that affects you while riding. Reflective clothing ensures that drivers can see you better, especially at night. This helps prevent cars from hitting you while riding. Bright clothing during the day can also help avoid accidents, with reflective strips working better for evening and night riding.
Gloves
Gloves can also affect you in the event of a bicycle accident. When you fall from a bicycle, one common reaction is to reach your hands out to stop your fall. This action can cause serious lacerations to the hands. Gloves provide a layer of material between your hands and the ground, reducing the impact on the skin.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are rarely warn by recreational bikers but are common for those who do more extreme or competitive biking. Mouthguards are designed to protect your teeth from breaking if your chin hits the ground or bike during a fall or accident. The force of impact against the jaw can also channel the energy of impact to the brain, creating similar effects as those in a fighter who is hit too hard, states the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. Mouthguards help cushion the force of the impact, reducing the effects on the brain.
Shin/Knee Armor
For those who spend their time mountain biking or stunt biking, or for children learning to ride a bike, shin and knee armor can also be beneficial in protecting the body against injury. Shins and knees often can take the brunt impact of force and scraping during an accident. The fabric and padding of these armor guards help to lessen the force and protect the skin against gravel, pavement and other surfaces that can rip open the skin tissue.
Member Comments