Bike Safety Gear and Equipment: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Bikes are cool, and anyone who has ridden one will agree that riding a bike is one of the best activities there is. People ride bikes for different reasons—competition, leisure, or to simply perform some cool tricks.

Bike Safety Gear and Equipment: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

However, bikes, like other machines, can cause accidents and injuries. Even though it’s infrequent to have fatal bike accidents, you must observe bike safety measures at all times.

There are several ways to achieve safety when riding bikes. The common way is through safe riding that every biker is required to observe.

Because chances of accidents can’t be wholly erased even when cycling safely, you need to be prepared if it happens. You can also protect yourself by having the right gear and equipment at all times.

A Guide to Bike Safety Gear and Equipment

For seasoned cyclists, getting safety gear and equipment isn’t a problem as they know what they need—they learn with experience. However, for a beginner, you may miss on some things that are crucial for your safety.

Here’s a beginner’s guide that’ll help you get everything right:

1. Bike Pads

Bike pads are protective gear made from hard or soft materials, used to protect elbows, knees, groin, hips, and shins in case of a fall.

The pads work by cushioning the protected part against the impact of the fall and from bruises.

For an off-road cyclist, mountain bike pads can help protect the knees and elbows from serious damage during accidents.

The groin pad or chamois protects the biker’s groin from friction caused by prolonged contact with the saddle.

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    The elbow pads are made with foam to cushion elbows during falls to reduce bruises. When speed cycling, they form a protective base for arm support on the bike handles.

    2. Helmet

    In a bike accident, a helmet could be the difference-maker. The head is a very important part of the body, and it should be protected at all costs.

    Getting a helmet is also a requirement in many countries and bike competitions, which highlights how important it is.

    When buying a helmet, it’s essential to seek reputable dealers as that’s one gear you can’t afford to settle for less. The helmet should fit perfectly; otherwise, a loose helmet could fall off and fail to perform its intended purpose.

    Moreover, it shouldn’t be too tight that you feel a strain on your head when wearing it.

    After some time, you should replace your helmet as the materials used to make it can degrade, and you can’t afford to take chances.

    3. Reflective Gear

    Visibility at night is always a problem; therefore, it can be difficult for other road users to see cyclists. This is one culprit of accidents involving cyclists at night, especially on busy highways.

    Therefore, you need to get reflective gear, such as jackets, tapes, and helmets.

    Such items will reflect light from the headlamps of cars, making cyclists visible from a distance. These items will also help the other motorists to avoid hitting you.

    4. White Headlight

    Fitting your bike with a white headlight is also a significant safety measure you should consider doing the first time you go cycling. It’ll help increase visibility at night or in areas where there’s little light.

    By fitting your bike with lights, you can see and avoid other road users, preventing accidents. Also, you can avoid hitting obstacles, such as rocks, walls, or going into ditches and getting injured.

    5. Bells and Horns

    Bells and horns are important in warning other users of your presence, and they should move away or avoid activities that can cause an accident.

    While you can swerve and avoid hitting people and things, it’s still advisable to warn, especially people or children playing close to the roads.

    The bells and horns should be checked regularly to ensure that they’re functional and audible. Therefore, regular maintenance is required for your bike.

    6. Mirrors

    Mirrors are primarily fitted on handlebars, although some mirrors are fitted on helmets and eyewear.

    The handlebar mirrors give a broader but direct view of what’s behind, while the other mirrors move with your head, giving you a 180-degree view.

    Regardless of what mirror type you use, it’s essential to have some on your bike.

    This is because mirrors give you a view of what’s behind you, especially when riding on busy streets, allowing you to make decisions, without having to turn around.

    7. Protective Eyewear

    Having a clear vision of the road is important when riding a bike. However, small insects, dust, and debris could enter your eyes, impairing your vision and distracting you.

    If you’re riding on a steep hill, a busy street, or a rocky area, you can easily fall or cause accidents.

    Therefore, you need to get protective glasses that are strong, durable, and immune to shutter. These will ensure you have clear vision all the time when cycling.

    Additionally, it’s advisable to get cleat glasses as shades can limit your vision, especially at night.

    8. Gloves

    Gloves are essential in protecting the rider in many ways. First, they’ll cushion your hands in case of a fall because, normally, you’ll use your hands to connect to the ground.

    If you lack gloves, your palms can suffer from bruises. Also, padded gloves protect you against the shock of the impact.

    Secondly, gloves will keep your hands warm during cold seasons or when hike-riding on mountains and forests.

    The warmth maintains the dexterity of your figures, allowing you to get a good grip of the handlebar and the breaks.

    9. Bike Kits

    A bike kit contains all the accessories that your bike may occasionally need to enhance its performance. You could have a pump, spanners, a first aid kit, and your mobile phone in the kit. While the kit doesn’t seem to enhance your safety at first, it always comes in handy during emergencies.

    For example, spanners will help tighten loose nuts. The pump can also be used to inflate tires and get you back on track. First aid kits can help you treat minor injuries until you get medication.

    Conclusion

    As a beginner riding a bike could be an exciting thing, and it’s understandable as it’s cool and a form of exercise. However, while at it, your safety should be the first thing you consider; therefore, you need to ensure you get the right gear and equipment.

    Before starting on a ride, check that everything is there and functional. Also, regular maintenance of your bike will enhance bike safety.

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