Basic Biking Safety Tips

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Cycling, or biking, is a great form of exercise, an easy-on-the-joints exercise that provides a great way to get into the outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. But biking does contain some elements of danger if you’re not careful, and far too many lives have been lost because of biking accidents.

In this article, you’ll learn about some valuable biking safety tips that will help you not only stay safe, but have peace of mind as you rule the road. Your section of the road, at least.

The cardinal rule of biking – helmet, helmet, helmet – Let me say it again, so that it soaks into your brain even further: helmet, helmet, helmet. Wearing a helmet is as elemental to biking as wearing a seat belt in a car. The chief complaint of non-helmt wearers is “but biking helmets look stupid.” For your own safety, however, wouldn’t you agree that you don’t really care how stupid you look? So why not take that logic and apply it to this no-brainer situation? If you feel “freer” on a bike because you don’t wear a helmet, perhaps you could find some other way to be free that doesn’t carry as much risk.
Reflectors – Reflectors are another must that frequently get ignored too often – even if you’re biking into the early hours of the evening, a sudden shift in weather or cloud formations could block out sunlight and make it darker than you anticipated. And if you ever feel like biking in the best hours of the morning, reflectors will help you once more.They take a few minutes to install and then you don’t have to worry about them. The longer and more frequently you bike, the more this initial investment of outfitting your bike with plenty of reflectors will pay off.
Know the rules of the road – Which side of the road to you ride on? Many people like riding against traffic so that no cars “sneak up” beside them. Look up the local traffic laws in your area, and be sure to know your traffic signals, as well: you won’t necessarily need them at all times, but if you ever encounter a situation in which you need them, it’s best to be prepared. Hold your left hand straight out to the left to signal left, and at a ninety-degree angle upward to indicate a right-hand turn.

These are just a few of the tips that you can take with you on your biking trips; remember, the more you bike, the more dividends these quick tips will pay off, help you bike safely for a long time to come.

Originally posted 2008-12-12 04:55:39.

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