Before you put a foot to your bicycle pedal, it's important to make sure you are taking the proper safety precautions. This includes equipment safety, such as wearing a helmet that fits, and bicycle safety knowledge, such as the proper direction to ride on the street. Because even the most seasoned cyclists run the risk of injury, practicing proper safety techniques ensures you enjoy many bike rides to come.
Significance
Bicycle injuries account for more than 300,000 children's emergency department visits each year, according to KidsHealth.org. While not all injuries are due to preventable injuries, a large amount of the more serious injuries---head traumas---typically can be reduced in terms of severity due to wearing a helmet. However, children are not the only ones injured in bicycle accidents. The average age of a cyclist killed on a highway is age 40, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. This means bicycle safety is an all-encompassing concern and should be practiced by people of all ages.
Prevention/Solution
Bicycle safety begins with wearing the proper equipment, including a bicycle helmet. A helmet should always be worn, even when you are on a bike for only a short time. Your helmet should never have been involved in a previous crash because the protective foam could be damaged and not absorb shock as well. Your helmet should be bright in color, have a safety sticker signifying your helmet meets United States safety standards and feature a strap that buckles underneath the chin. The strap should be fitted to where you can fit only two fingers underneath it, which signifies the helmet will not fall or twist off should an accident occur. Visibility also is an important factor: be sure to wear bright and/or reflective clothing to ensure a motorist can see you while you are riding your bike.
Considerations
In addition to wearing the proper safety equipment, you must take safety precautions when riding. This includes avoiding obstructions that could cause you to crash, including potholes, storm grates, rocks, wet leaves or any other changes in the road's surface that could be dangerous. You should never ride against traffic, but should instead ride with the flow of the cars. Bike much in the same way you would drive a car: only cross at intersections, stop at all stop signs and be sure to signal before turning.
Geography
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the safest place for cyclists to ride is on the street. However, this may not be appropriate for all cyclists, particularly younger children. If your child is younger than age 10, he or she should not be permitted to ride on the street. Children older than age 10 may be permitted to ride on a sidewalk, providing your state or county laws permit it. When cycling past pedestrians or even other cyclists, you should pass to the left and say "Excuse me" or "Passing on the left."
Expert Insight
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says bicycle crashes that result in death or serious injury are most often due to lapses in judgment on the part of the cyclist. Top reasons include not wearing a helmet, failure to stop at a stop sign, riding against traffic or swerving into the road. Educate yourself about your area's bicycle safety rules and be sure to stay in control of your bicycle at all times: keep your hands on the handlebars; minimize distractions, such as music; and always be on the lookout for hazardous items on the road.
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