Bicycling is a great family activity, a good way to get necessary exercise and an effective and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. When considering bicycle safety, too often the only emphasis is placed on proper helmet use. While using a helmet every time you ride is extremely important, there are many other safety considerations. Keeping yourself safe while biking is possible when you ride with vigilance, common sense and understanding and following traffic rules.
Traffic Rules
When riding your bike, obey all traffic rules. Stop at stop signs and observe the right-of-way. Use your arm to signal before stopping or turning right or left. Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as vehicle traffic. Use bike lanes when available. Young children should ride on the sidewalk, recommends the KidsHealth website. Only pass other cyclists and pedestrians on the left and ride single file on roadways.
Bike Maintenance
Keep your tires properly inflated and your bike in good condition are part of bike safety. A rusty chain, loose handlebars and flat tires can put you at risk for an accident. Check the brakes frequently and replace them as needed. Make sure that the seat and handlebars are at the right height for you. You should be able to put your feet down flat on the ground and you should be able to hold the handles comfortably while riding.
Making Yourself Visible
If you must ride your bike in the dark, at dawn or at dusk, use a light to aid your own visibility and to make it more likely that drivers will see you. Wear brightly colored or white clothing or add strips of reflective tape to your clothes, hat or backpack. Be sure that your bike has reflectors on the wheels and pedals for maximum visibility. Try to ride only in well-lit areas both for personal safety and so others will see you.
Not Getting Tangled
Wearing clothing that can not get entangled in your bicycle is an important bike safety strategy. Wear snug-fitting pants that will not get caught in the chain and do not wear a backpack with loose straps. Wear appropriate shoes for riding, not flip flops or high heels, which may get caught and cause a collision.
Keeping Eyes Open
Remain alert while bicycling. While drivers should be watching for you, you also need to watch for cars switching lanes, stopping suddenly and turning without the appropriate signal. Be particularly careful when crossing intersections and driveways. Keep both hands on the bike's handles so you can quickly maneuver out of the way if necessary.
Blind Spots
Be especially vigilant in parking lots, where drivers may not notice you while they are backing up. Watch for white reverse lights as you ride and stop until the car has begun moving forward. When riding in traffic, watch for drivers getting out of their parked cars. If one does not see you, he may open the door right into your bicycle. When stopping at a stop sign or stop light, do so behind a vehicle and not to the side of it in the driver's blind spot.
Keeping Others Safe
As a bicycle rider, it is your responsibility to keep not only yourself safe, but others as well. You need to watch for and yield to pedestrians as you ride. If there is a safe alternative, you should not ride on sidewalks, because this may put people walking at risk. If you must ride on the sidewalk, pull to the side to let walkers pass.
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