Riding your bicycle provides you with aerobic exercise that builds muscle tone, burns fat, and keeps your body healthy. But if you don't do it safely, riding your bike may put you at risk of a severe injury or even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2009 that 700 bicycle-related fatalities occur annually, and that U.S. emergency rooms see more than 500,000 people each year with cycling-related injuries. Of those 500,000 serious injuries, more than half are suffered by children under 15. Practicing bicycle safety, and passing good habits on to your children, can help you avoid tragedy.
Helmets
A properly fitted bicycle helmet will protect your head in the event of an accident, cushioning your skull and absorbing the impact of a fall. Without a helmet, even a minor accident can result in a concussion, laceration, or other head injury. If you need a more pressing reason to wear a helmet than to protect your health, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that, as of 2010, 47 states had laws requiring bicyclists to wear a helmet. Many states only require helmets for riders under a certain age, but some, such as California, Alabama, Nebraska, and Maryland, require all bicyclists to don protective headgear.
Traffic Laws
Depending on your state of residence, your state government may consider your bicycle a vehicle. Thus, you are responsible for following the same traffic laws as motorists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, this means riding with the flow of traffic rather that against it, obeying all traffic lights, yielding to larger vehicles and using hand signals when you turn. The NHTSA also recommends that all riders ensure that their bicycles are an appropriate fit, and properly maintained, as this further reduces the risk of accidents.
Visibility
While riding at night is a necessity for some bicyclists, it isn't recommended. If you must ride at night, take precautions to ensure that motorists can easily see you. Princeton University recommends that bicyclists wear reflective clothing, and place reflective tape on their bicycles. These items reflect the glow of headlights, and allow motorists to easily identify you as a bicyclist. If you still have concerns about being visible in low light, purchase a small headlight for your bicycle. Not only will the additional light make you more visible to motorists, a bicycle headlight helps you see better, too.
Biking Trails
A must for children, the buddy system can also ensure the safety of adults when riding in unfamiliar areas or along bike trails. Mountain bikers have a particularly high risk of getting stranded or injured on a particularly challenging trail. If you cannot bring another rider with you, notify a friend or family member of where you plan to ride, so that in the event of an accident, authorities can locate you more quickly. Always check out the trail you plan to ride on before you go biking to ensure that it's open to bicyclists, and not restricted due to safety concerns.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Bicycle Related Injuries
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Current U.S. Motorcycle and Bicycle Helmet Laws
- National Highway Traffic Safety Association: Kids and Bicycle Safety
- Princeton University: Transportation and Parking Services
- Recreation.gov: Biking
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