Bicycle safety is important for your personal well-being and the well-being of others that share the road with you. Following a few simple safety guidelines can help prevent physical injury and ensure that you get home safely. Bicycles are considered a form of transportation and are required to follow similar traffic laws as that of cars. Stay safe by practicing personal safety while riding your bike.
Wear A Helmet
One of the most effective and simplest methods of ensuring safety is wearing a bike helmet, which can reduce your risk of head injury by 85 percent according to the Stanford University Medical Center. Bike helmets range from mountain bike helmets designed for rugged terrain riding, road bike helmets and BMX helmets for stunt riding. Make sure to get the proper fit for your helmet. A helmet should fit snug and not tip forward or backward. A quality helmet will have a chinstrap to ensure a custom fit.
Use Reflectors
Attaching reflectors to the front of the bike frame will make your bike visible to motorists at night. Bike accidents often happen at night because riders are not easily seen by cars. A car's headlights easily spot mounted reflectors. Flashing lights can be attached to your helmet and bike as an added safety precaution for night riding.
Wear Proper Clothing
Wear clothing that does not interfere with the proper function of the gears. Wide legged pants, scarves and other loose clothing can potentially become entangled in the gears. This can cause the gears to jam, the bike to abruptly stop and the rider to be thrown and possibly injured. Only closed toed shoes should be worn during biking. Wearing safety clothing such as reflective vests can help car drivers see you at night. Reflective tape is also available that can be attached to shorts, shirts and pants.
Follow Traffic Laws
Automobiles are the cause of 90 percent of bicycle related deaths, according to Massachusetts General Hospital. This is why it important to follow all street traffic laws and the rules of the road. Stop at all stop signs and lights, use hand signals for turning, do not go the wrong way on one way streets, do not weave in and out of traffic and stay in the bike lane whenever possible.
Carry a Toolkit
Be sure to carry a toolkit for unexpected repairs along the way. If you break down on the road, having a toolkit allows you to make necessary repairs to get you back on the road till you can reach an area where you can get further help. Make sure to become familiar with the tools and how to use them before you start riding. If your bike has storage area, you can also carry a spare tube for your tire.
Be Prepared for Distance Rides
Bring plenty of water and snacks when riding on long distance rides. Energy drinks specifically designed for long bike rides or other cardiovascular sports are available and will help you stay hydrated on long ride. Energy bars, fruit snacks and other energy foods will help you keep your energy level stable.
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