Know Your Cycling Safety

Ride your bike safely.

For many people, the experience of getting in a minor car accident can give them insights they wouldn’t otherwise have. While they remained relatively safe and unharmed, the loss of control of a car over some ice, or the feeling of how other motorists can be unpredictable gives you a new respect for the road and for traffic that changes your perspective on driving forever.

For cycling, it’s the same way, except your body is more exposed. You don’t want to learn about the essentials of cycling safety after it’s too late – you want to gain a respect for the bike you ride and the road you ride it on, as well as the other people you’ll come across in your travels. Here are some of the essentials to help you know your cycling safety.

-Breaks.

Have a great respect for the breaks on your bike, especially how they’re used. If you’re just getting started with cycling, know that it’s probably a better idea to keep your back break as the strongest one, or the one you most frequently turn to. Why is this? The front break can be very effective, but it can also stop you so fast that you will be carried over the handlebar easily.

Understanding momentum will also lead to some respect for your breaks. I have personally flown over the handlebars of a bike even while “messing” around in a small cul-de-sac, traveling at no more than five miles an hour. I hit the breaks so abruptly that my momentum simply carried me over, leading to some nasty cuts that hurt a good amount for some days afterward. After that incident, I’m much more conscious and aware of how I operate my breaks, as well as where to go for my breaks when I get closer to traffic – just in case I need them.

-Helmet.

Imagine you fly off of your bike – which part of your body do you think will go first? You’ve been cycling with your head forward the entire time, so expect that your head will also be the first to start flying off the bike if you get in even a minor accident. Because of this, a helmet is absolutely essential, even on casual biking outings – not to mention the innate value of that organ between your ears.

-Lights and reflectors.

If you’re biking, it’s absolutely essential – and often the law, as in the case of helmets as well – to have reflectors to warn drivers that you’re on the road. It will also help to have lights so you can better control who sees you – as well as what you see. Be careful when you’re cycling at night, and be sure that you’re well-prepared, even if you think that “early evening” isn’t dark enough yet.

Photo Credits: Trailnet

Originally posted 2009-04-03 05:33:07.

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