6 Aspects to Keep you Safe When Cycling.
6 Aspects to Keep you Safe When Cycling.
Wear the Protective Gear - no exceptions
Ensure your Bike is Sound before you Ride
Make Eye Contact with Car Drivers
Cycling on the Road
Road cycling is fantastic, we all know that. It does however, carry some risks. Here we look at a few safety measures you can adopt to ensure your cycling does not end in tears.
Read on and cycle safely.
Wear the Safety Equipment
Always wear a helmet when you cycle. Helmets are the difference between a bad injury, and a debilitating injury. Ensure your helmet complies with safety standards, and that your helmet is comfortable to wear.
As well as a helmet wear cycling sunglasses. This will protect your eyes from insects which you will from time to time cycle into. This will also protect your eyes from other projectiles, such as the grit and mud kicked-up by passing cars.
Be Seen
If you cycle at night, or even if you cycle during the day in overcast conditions, ensure you are visible to road users. Consider lights and high visibility clothing. If you're cycling at night, these two factors are non-negotiable. If you do not like the idea of a fluorescent jacket, at least ensure you have a fluorescent sash to ensure you are visible in dark conditions.
Your Bike
Ensure your bike is in a roadworthy state before you go for a ride. Ensure the breaks and gears are working correctly, and your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Make sure that the bike is mechanically sound. As a precaution it is a good idea to ensure you carry spare inner tubes and pumps in case of a puncture.
Obey Road Signs
Cyclists have a reputation for ignoring street signs and signals, and this is something you should avoid. Jumping lights, riding the wrong way down one way streets, riding across pedestrian crossings when there are people on them, cycling on pavements when you should not be, will at the very least land you in trouble with the law. Not to mention this kind of behaviour is dangerous.
Use Cycle Lanes
If you have the option to use cycle lanes and anything cycle friendly, obviously you should use it. They work best when they separate you from the traffic. You will find that cycle lanes will allow you to go where cars cannot, and sometimes do things such as travel down a one way street the 'wrong way'. It is a good idea to plan your journey around cycle lanes simply because you put distance between you and traffic.
Cycling on the Road
Do not feel you have to cycle too close to the kerb. Give yourself room and do not be intimidated by impatient car drivers. Moreover, ensure you avoid drains and debris which tends to collect near the kerb.
As you cycle past parked vehicles watch out for car doors opening as flying over the handle bars is not fun.
When cycling make eye contact with car drivers as this will force them to acknowledge your presence.
Cycling is brilliant, and it is more brilliant when you reach your destination in one piece. Also, remember if you are cycling in an unfamiliar country, road signs and etiquette may be different. Ensure you are familiar with them before you ride.
You can become a better cyclist by booking a Mallorca cycling holiday. You'll enjoy the breathtaking scenery of picturesque old stone villages, craggy limestone cliffs and turquoise waters and mountaintop monasteries.
Check them out.
submitted on 29/02/2015
Updated 14/05/2024
