Riding a bicycle has many benefits to offer. It is a quick, inexpensive means of transportation. It allows people to decrease their carbon footprints.
It is a great form of exercise. It allows people to navigate city centres without having to worry about finding parking. There are many benefits to riding a bicycle, but it can be dangerous as well.
Since bicycles have to share the road with autos, it can lead to major injuries to cyclists when an accident occurs. Avoid cycling injuries by always practicing these five safety tips.
1. Always Wear a Helmet
This is the most important part of being a safe cyclist. Always, always wear a helmet. This cannot be stressed enough. Put on a helmet every time before getting on a bike. Crashing into a car or truck is like crashing into a steel wall. Hitting the head during a bicycle crash can lead to severe brain damage and even death. Avoid these negative outcomes by protecting the head with a properly fitted bike helmet.
2. Keep the Bicycle Well Maintained
Performing regular maintenance on a bicycle is an important key to cycling safety. Two areas in particular to check are the brakes and the chain. Both of these should be tested each time before a cyclist starts riding. Make sure that the chain is lubricated well and that it is not loose. A loose chain can snag riders’ clothing, which can lead to an accident. Test the brakes to make sure that they are gripping well. If a cyclist cannot stop quickly, they greatly increase their chances of having an accident.
3. Be Visible
One of the most common reasons that a car or truck hits a bicyclist is due to not seeing the cyclist. There are many reasons this happens. One is that cyclists are not wearing bright enough clothing. Always wear bright, fluorescent and reflective clothing. Have a headlight and taillight on the bike to increase visibility, and keep these lit at all times, even during the day. When bicyclists jump out from between parked cars, this is a major safety hazard. This does not give drivers a chance to see the bike in time. Never enter traffic this way. Always enter the road on the street or from a sidewalk at the corner, never in the middle of the block.
4. Ride with Traffic
Always ride with the flow of traffic. Riding against the flow causes problems for drivers and cyclists both. The drivers may not have a chance to see a cyclist until it is too late if the bike is coming from the wrong direction. Bike riders can also miss important road signs if they are on the wrong side of the street.
5. Avoid the No Zone
Never ride near a big truck. These big trucks have numerous blind spots around them, and they make wide turns that can easily sideswipe a bicycle. Avoid this kind of crushing injury by staying as far as possible from any large trucks on the road.
Oliver is a cycling enthusiest from Sydney, Australia. He chooses to ride Merida bikes because of their superior ride quality. Oliver is currently training for his first professional Road Race and is aiming to make the Australian Olympic team in 2016.
Source: Sports Updates
