5 Safety Tips for Cyclists
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Cycling is slowly becoming everyone’s favorite hobby. It is fun and it also allows you to exercise properly. Many people are including it in their regular workout regimen and cycling is now at par with swimming. Not just that, cycling to work can help you in doing your bit for the environment. Children can cycle and lead healthy lives which would help them to grow and become healthier adults. Apart from bearing in mind safety consideration I also make sure I have a decent padlock, I have replaced a few bikes due to theft. However, in order for cycling to be as fun as it is supposed to be, you have to make sure that you follow all the safety pointers.
The following are top 5 safety tips for cyclists :
1. You Should Follow Legal Cycling Rules – If you follow the legal laws for cyclists, half your job would be done. This means that you should never cycle when the red lights are on. Also, don’t cycle through when the lights are on at the pedestrian crossings. Cycling on pavements is not legal unless you see a sign showing that the particular pavement is also a cycle path. On a one-way street, you shouldn’t cycle up the wrong way unless you see a sign showing that it is okay for cyclists to do that. Don’t ride across pedestrian crossings except in case of toucan crossings.
2. Try to Maintain Cycling Etiquette – Cycling etiquette might sound like something that you can ignore but it isn’t. There is a reason why it’s common etiquette – it leads to better safety for people and cyclists. This means that you should not weave your cycle in and out of the traffic. Don’t change your direction without signaling first. Even though it is not compulsory, make use of toucan crossings, cycle boxes, stop lines and cycle routes for safer cycling. It is always prudent to give priority to pedestrians. Some pedestrians could be disabled, deaf or blind, so you should be careful around them. If your cycle does not have a bell, get one fixed to inform people of your presence on the road.
3. Always Wear a Helmet – Even if you follow all the traffic rules, accidents can still happen. On the road, things happen pretty fast and there isn’t a lot you can do. Also, because there are other drivers and pedestrians involved, sometimes, because of no fault of your own, you can find yourself in a dangerous situation. Your bicycle could tumble and you could get hurt. In such a situation, you would be grateful that you were wearing a helmet because it will protect you from serious and severe head injuries. You can also wear shin and elbow pads to protect from scratches.
4. Don’t Listen to Music While Cycling – It is common to see cyclists listening to music on high volume when they are cycling but this can be extremely dangerous. This is because with your headphones on, you will not be able to hear other people sounding their horn. It could lead to accidents. Not only could it be fatal to you but it could also cause accidents to other people. Similarly, you should not speak on the phone, even if you are using hands-free headsets to do the same. Any blip in your concentration could be disastrous. If you get a call, stop at a safe stop and then take it.
5. Wear Bright Clothing During Low-Light Conditions – Because you are on a bicycle, it is important to be visible to others on the road. It is recommended that you get some lights installed on your bike but otherwise, you can also wear bright clothes in fluorescent colors to get people’s attention.
These tips will make sure that you can enjoy cycling safely.
