16 Safety Tips For Cyclists

March 31, 2021

Road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the world. That’s why it’s a must for every motorist to take extra precautions whenever they’re on the road.

16 Safety Tips For Cyclists

Cyclists aren’t exempted from this. Every year, most of the accidents that cyclists get involved in are accidents on the road,

Most of the time, it ends in tragic death. If you want to check an example, feel free to navigate to this site.

Even though there are places where bicycle lanes are now in place, cyclists should still keep in mind that accidents can happen everywhere. Remember that the road isn’t a safe place for everyone, and being extra careful can help in the long run.

To help you identify the safety measures that you need to know before riding a bicycle, below is the list of important things to keep in mind before and while you’re riding one.

Important Things You Need To Check Before Riding

Before riding a bicycle, here are several things that a cyclist must check for safety.

For bicycles with quick-release levers, try opening and closing them to make sure that they’re tight. These levers are the ones holding the wheel on your bike. If they come loose while you’re biking, it might cause a serious injury, especially if you’re on the road.
Make sure that your brakes are working and that they can stop both wheels properly. The last thing that you want to happen while on a ride is to realize that your brakes aren’t working.
Wear personal protective equipment. Amateur or not, you can’t underestimate how gloves, knee pads, and arm pads can prevent serious scratches in case of a crash. If you don’t want a knee or elbow fracture, make sure that your knee and arm pads are thick enough to protect them.
Wear your helmet at all times and know when you need a helmet replacement. Whether it’s just a quick ride or a long one, cyclists should be wearing their helmets every ride. An accident can happen anytime, and the most important part of your body that you need to protect is your head. Head injuries can be fatal even if the collision’s impact is not too strong. If your head hits concrete objects, it may result in serious head trauma.
Check your tires. Each tire should have enough air pressure.
Make sure that your bike lights are fully charged, or you must have extra batteries if your lights are battery-operated.
Have a warning system. As a cyclist, you also need to make sure that pedestrians are aware of your presence.
Know the traffic and road rules. It’s everyone’s responsibility to educate themselves about these rules before riding.

Things To Follow When Riding

hand with brake of the bike

No one is safe while on the road. Even if you’re in a bike-friendly state, accidents can still happen. As a cyclist, you have to assume that every driver isn’t seeing you, and they aren’t paying attention to their surroundings.

It’s important to consider everyone as a threat.

Here are some safety tips to remember and follow while on the road:

Be attentive at all times. While cycling, you have to be observant of your surroundings. Motorists can make turns abruptly; you should always be prepared and allot a specific distance to vehicles. In any case that they make a sudden stop, you have enough space to stop and prevent yourself from crashing.
Ride at a reasonable speed while on the road. It’s best to reach your destination in one piece rather than not being able to do so.
Keep in mind that motorists have blind spots. Position yourself in areas where they can see you.
Signal your intentions. There are proper hand signals that a cyclist must be aware of before riding. Make sure that you know how to properly use a hand gesture to inform drivers of your intention so that they’ll know what your action will be.
Always look at your mirror or behind you. This is especially helpful whenever you need to turn right or left.
Avoid swerving without making signals to drivers behind you.
Don’t make sudden brakes. If you need to stop, do it gradually or you can move to the side of the road slowly.
When approaching intersections, you must always slow down. Most bicycle accidents take place in intersections, and the majority say that it’s because cyclists lost control of their bikes. Take extra precautions when riding through an intersection and follow the rules of the road.

Final Thoughts

Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Taking extra effort to prevent these is the least that you can do.

So, if you’re a cyclist, don’t forget to check your bike parts before riding. Wear your protective equipment, prepare your bike lights, and make sure that you are equipped with road and traffic rules and knowledge before riding.

While on the road, assume that every driver is either not seeing you or not paying attention to their surroundings. Position yourself in areas or spots where you’ll be visible to everyone, signal your intention, and don’t forget to ride at a reasonable speed.

There are more safety tips to consider. Remember, life is precious. Ride it with precaution and safety measures.

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