Over the years, biking has become a popular way to get and stay fit. Not only that, but it has also transformed the way people go from one place to another. It doesn’t only reduce the pollution coming from cars, but it also maintains your health. Bike riding, indeed, is an excellent hobby due to both personal and environmental reasons.
However, amazing as it is, bike riding, as with any other forms of exercise and transportation, still poses some safety risks for the rider. But before you hastily decide to sell your new bike, let us remind you that there are safety tips that you can employ to keep you safe and sound when riding your bike. Gear up and read on.
Inspect Your Bike
Before hitting the road with your bicycle, make sure to inspect it first. Check the brakes and the tires. Have a quick walk with it to see if any loose bolts or mechanical hazard is present.
Always Wear Your Protective Gears
Of course, a helmet is not guaranteed to save you in case you get into an accident, but at least it protects your pretty little head. Your head houses your brain, which is the tiny organ that controls every move of your body, so you should understand by now why the law requires motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. This extends to bike riding for the same reason. Other protective gears should also be worn.
Read The Weather Forecast
Before going on an adventure with your bike or before using it to run errands, make sure that you read the weather forecast. Obviously, forecasts give you an idea of what to expect, and depending on the weather of the day, you can be prepared and wear something waterproof or carry a backpack for some extra clothing.
Put On Sunscreen
Not only are you prone to accidents but even more so to sunburn, especially if you’re biking under the scorching heat of the sun. Have mercy, friend, and wear sunscreen, or better yet, wear clothing that protects your skin from UV rays.
Wear Colorful Clothing
This is particularly true if you’re bike riding during the dark hours. Avoid wearing dark clothes as other people may not realize your presence. Also, install front and rear lights on your bike. Not being seen could get you into an accident, so the next time you plan to have your workout late at night or at breaking dawn, be sure to be seen!
Stay Alert
Many accidents are due to distracted and inattentive drivers, and this is not only true for vehicles but bike riders as well. As much as possible, don’t bike with your headphones on. You need to be alert and attentive to your surroundings, and this means using your senses, including your sense of hearing.
You should also have gotten used to watching out behind you by now, but if this doesn’t work for you, you can opt to install rear view mirrors. It helps you see what’s on your back without the hassle of looking back from time to time.
Keep Your Hands On The Handlebars
As much as possible, you should always keep both of your hands on the handlebar. Doing this maintains your balance and makes it easier for you to use the brakes if necessary. In any case, make sure that you’re skilled enough to maneuver your bike.
Slow Down On Road Hazards
Be on the lookout for any hazards you may encounter on the road such as a pile of sand, rocks, ice, and loose gravel. Slow down when any hazard is spotted.
Carry A Small First-aid Kit
You need not bring a whole box of first-aid paraphernalia when cycling, just the basic ones stuffed in a small pouch is enough. Make sure to include a few bandages, plasters, gauze, cleansing wipes, and antihistamine meds.
Bring A Patch Kit
In addition to your first-aid kit, you should also bring a patch kit when bike riding. In the event your tire gets flat in a remote or unfamiliar area, you have something to use to patch up your tire. Oh, did we mention you also need to learn how to patch up a flat tire?
Take Your Phone, A Some Cash, And Id With You
If you don’t have a patch kit, your mobile phone will come in handy. If you don’t have your cell phone with you, a some cash will also serve the same. Always bring an ID with you as this will enable other people or authorities to identify you and contact your significant others in case something bad happens, which we hope doesn’t!
Carry Bottled Water
Especially when cycling for an extended period of time or mountain biking, bringing bottled water will keep you hydrated. You can’t find stores in the mountains, so it is always a good idea to be prepared. After all, if you’re mountain biking as a workout, you should be used to hydrating your body by now.
Start Riding Young
Learning to ride a bike from a young age is the best way to keep safe throughout your life. And the best bikes for young children are balance bikes. Perfect for toddlers from 18 months old up to 5 years, these bicycles do not have wheels and the rider pushes their feet along to propel themselves. This means their feet will be on the ground the whole time making it a lot safer. Balance bikes also help improve coordination and movement and develop confidence in the toddler. Studies have shown you can skip training wheels and progress to a proper bike, saving money and making you a better rider in the future.
Learn The Safety Rules For Biking
Biking rules and regulations vary from one country or state to another. Before you start with biking, make sure that you understand them. You should also learn where the safety lanes for bicycles are and be sure to stay in them at all times.
If you need to change lanes or turn to either side, make common hand signals to inform those behind you. Doing so will help prevent accidents caused by not showing what you, as the rider, plans to do.
Biking is a wonderful hobby and exercise, but it is also risky compared to any other form of transportation because it leaves you vulnerable. But as long as you know how to stay safe when cycling, you’ll do well and reach your destination safe and soundly in no time.
While you take all the necessary bike riding tips to keep you safe and sound, there are circumstances where you may encounter an accident with someone who’s guilty of drunk driving. If you want to learn the legal implications of drunk driving, click here to consult a licensed attorney.
Joanne Reed
Joanne Reed has been writing about law and business for almost a decade, and is currently writing her next big law project. She is an avid sports fan and loves watching games if she has free time.
Love traveling.
