Some Necessities For Safe Cycling

Cycling is a great way of getting about. It’s cheaper than having your own car or using public transport, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can help you to stay fit as well as help you become fitter. You’ll benefit most from cycling from doing it on a regular basis.

Before, however, you head off to get your bike and start cycling, read the rest of this article and find out how to keep yourself safe.

Be Seen

You need to be visible to other people on the road, no matter how busy or how quiet a road is. This is often neglected when the light is improving and you can see more while cycling, but remember that just because you can see a car clear as day, doesn’t mean that the car can see you.

So, wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing. You can add to your visibility by wearing reflective accessories like a reflective belt, arm or ankle bands.

Your bike needs to be visible, too, else drivers will be wondering what that floating light ahead is and not realise that it’s you on a bike.

The following lights and reflectors are compulsory: white front light, red rear light, red rear reflector, and amber pedal reflectors on the front and back of each pedal. If you’re still unsure about being seen, you can always include additional reflectors to your bike.

The Right Protection

The next important aspect of your safety is to protect your head. Wearing a helmet prevents head injuries if you are involved in an accident, and can be the difference between you riding another day.

There’s a large variety of different styles of helmets out there, so when buying be sure that the helmet is a good fit and sits just above your eyebrows. If the helmet falls forward or backwards then it doesn’t fit right, and will do more harm than good.

Always try a bike helmet on before purchasing. Place it on your head and do up the straps. Make sure that these straps aren’t twisted, and that you can fit two fingers between your chin and the strap. Now, shake your head from side to side as well as up and down.

If the helmet stays firmly on your head, then it’s a good fit. If the helmet moves about, then it’s a bad fit. Also, be sure that the helmet is comfortable. If you feel the need to constantly adjust it, then you won’t want to wear it on a regular basis.

Cycle In a Forward-Looking Manner

As a cyclist you are part of the traffic and must behave in the same manner as you would, were you in a car. You need to be aware of your surroundings, and anticipate what is about to happen, so you can react in time.

If you’re stuck in a traffic jam and there’s no cycle path, then don’t try to weave your way through the cars, as you may end up in a driver’s blind spot and get hurt when the traffic suddenly starts moving again or the driver opens his door to throw something out.

Also let others know what you wish to do by signalling when are turning off, starting or stopping. Remember that cars are made of a ton of steel.

Stopping takes longer for them than it does for you, so don’t calculate their stopping distance based on your own abilities.

Be sure to cycle in a confident and decisive manner. If you stop and start all the time, you will confuse other travellers, and they may make false judgement on your actions, which could lead to an accident.

By making eye contact with drivers you assure them that you have seen them, and assure yourself that your actions are clear to them. Be polite while on the road by letting cars enter the road you are on and thanking drivers for letting you pass in turn.

When cycling on a cycling path that is adjacent to a pavement, cycle slowly and make sure that people can hear you coming by ringing your bell as a warning. People may have their backs to you and be unaware of your approach.

Cycling is a safe and fun way to get about, providing you have taken the right precautions regarding visibility and equipment, and that you cycle according to the highway code as well as in a forward-looking manner.