Bicycle Safety – Top 15 Safety Tips
Many bike injuries can be avoided by learning and using a few common sense tips when riding. Wearing the proper clothing and gear can also be helpful with the prevention of accidents. Loose clothing should be avoided since they can get caught in the bicycles chain. There are a number of tips you can use when night riding. A few of these include wearing clothing that is light in color, wearing a glow-in-the-dark safety vest and armbands. This helps drivers to spot you on the road better. Always wear a bicycle helmet no matter how short or long of a distance you’ll be traveling. Helmets save many lives each year.
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Making sure your bicycle is equipped with reflectors can also be quite helpful. Place reflectors on the tire spokes, on the front of the handlebars and the back of the bike seat. Having a light on your bicycle is also a good idea. Many people use the flashing red lights on their bikes. Some sports and biking shoes have reflecting or glow-in-the-dark material on them which work the same way the reflectors on your bike do.
Some of the safety rules that should be followed when biking are:
* Learn all the traffic rules and signals. Use the correct hand signals and obey the traffic rules much like if you were driving a vehicle on the streets.
* Keep both hands on the handlebars when not signaling.
* Pay attention to cars making right hand turns and those oncoming vehicles that are turning left in front of you.
* Watch driveways for vehicles coming and going.
* You should never assume you have the right-a-way even if you do. Defensive biking involves being aware that drivers will and can make mistakes. Never assume everyone is going to obey all the traffic rules.
* Don’t ride on surfaces that might cause you to loose control of the bicycle such as potholes, sand or gravel to mention a few.
* Always use an approved childs seat for bicycles when transporting a child with you on the bicycle. The tow behind trailers for children work well for transporting.
* Never have anyone sit on the handlebars when riding.
Some of the bicycle equipment that should be used is:
* Make sure the bicycle is properly fitted to the rider.
* Carry your belongings in a back pack.
* A rear view bike mirror is a great safety feature.
* Make sure you maintenance your bicycle on a regular basis and that you keep the bike well maintained.
* Be sure to keep tires and brakes in good working order.
* Be sure you take water with you especially if your traveling a long distance.
* If possible and you have somewhere to carry additional items, include basic maintenance tools and equipment. Adding a bicycle compartment or tote can be very helpful with carrying these items.
* Let someone know what your destination is and possibly what route your taking.
Using these good safety tips will help make your biking esperience a positive and safe one as well as an enjoyable ride.
Great Post…well written….