Riding a bicycle is a wonderful activity to keep yourself healthy and happy. It also means that you’re sharing the road with motor vehicles. One mistake can put you in danger and even on the ground. It isn’t like a car, a truck, or a larger motorcycle that can stop easily.
This means that you need to be very aware of your surroundings and the eight bicycle safety measures that you need to follow. A car driver that isn’t used to seeing bicycles on the road may not be ready for one to slip in front of their car.
Follow these eight rules to ensure that you’re safe on a bicycle and keep everyone else safe around you as well.
Table of Contents
1. Wear a Complete Gear
One of the most important rules is to always wear complete gear when riding a bicycle. This includes protective gear, such as:
- helmet
- gloves
- protective padding
- brightly-colored clothing
Wearing complete cycling gear is essential, even when bike riding for leisure, as it dramatically decreases your risk of serious injury in the event of a fall. Although it may not seem like much, wearing complete gear can be the difference between a minor scrape and a life-altering injury.
It may not seem like a big concern at the time, but it is unwise to take risks with bicycle safety. Make sure to always wear complete gear when cycling to ensure you stay safe and enjoy the ride!
2. Follow Traffic Laws
Bicycles can be a great form of transportation, but they also require their riders to be aware of and follow traffic laws. As a bicyclist, you should always follow the same rules of the road as motorists and obey all posted signs and signals. This includes:
- coming to a complete stop
- obeying speed limits
- signaling before turning
- signaling before changing lanes
At night and on busy roads, it is essential to use proper lights and reflective clothing to be visible to other drivers. Lastly, always wear a helmet and any other protective gear that you have available to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. You may also want to discover more about the law by checking out reliable resources.
3. Don’t Wear Earphones
One important rule that all cyclists should follow is to never wear earphones while cycling. By wearing earphones, you impair your ability to hear and be aware of the sounds around you, including honking horns and yelling at pedestrians. This can lead to accidents as you will not be able to react quickly enough to potential danger.
Even at low volumes, earphones can still impair hearing. This makes cycling significantly more dangerous. Therefore, always make sure to refrain from using or wearing earphones when going out for a cycling ride.
4. Stay Visible
One rule that should always be followed to ensure your safety while riding is to stay visible. This means that you should be wearing bright, reflective clothing and make sure to have your bicycle lights on both front and back so that cars and other vehicles can see you as clearly as possible.
Additionally, make sure you are aware of your surroundings while riding and stay away from riding on roads and streets with high traffic. If a car doesn’t see you, it can have potentially deadly consequences. Make sure to always stay visible while riding, and you should be able to avoid any accidents or potentially dangerous situations.
5. Keep Both Hands on the Handlebars
Keeping both hands on the handlebar allows for better control of the bike and will help prevent you from losing control and potentially crashing. If you need to signal, slowing down and lifting one hand to signal or stopping and putting both feet on the ground can be a better option.
If you find yourself needing to take both hands off the handlebars while riding, such as while carrying cargo, it is best to stop completely and not ride while carrying something. By following this rule, you can reduce the risk of an accident while riding your bike.
6. Watch for Road Hazards
When you are out on your bicycle, you should always be aware of road hazards. This includes:
- potholes
- cracked pavement
- slippery surfaces
- gravel
- wet leaves
- sharp objects
Also, keep watch for anything else on the road that can cause you to crash. It is important to pay special attention when riding on smaller roads, where cars are less likely to see you, and you can easily become hidden from other road users. Cyclists should anticipate these things and take extra precautions when going around or through them.
Use extra caution when approaching intersections and make sure you scan for nearby traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists before proceeding through. When you are aware and vigilant about road hazards, you can help prevent yourself from having bicycle accidents.
7. Be Prepared for Sudden Stops
It takes a split-second for a situation to take a new direction and become dangerous. Therefore, you must be alert at all times and be sure to keep your eyes and ears open to what’s going on around you. Always have the brakes in good working order, and use them whenever necessary.
When approaching a vehicle, reduce your speed and be ready to stop if the car suddenly makes an unexpected move. When riding, always keep an eye out for potential hazards, such as pedestrians, animals, and cars that may cross your path.
8. Avoid Distractions
As cyclists, we must remain aware of our surroundings and always obey the rules of the road. One of the most important rules to practice is to avoid distractions. This means that cyclists should not use cell phones or headphones while riding, as it takes attention away from the ride.
Cyclists should remain focused on the road ahead and their surroundings, paying attention to the following:
- cars
- pedestrians
- cyclists
By avoiding distractions, following the rules of the roads, and not entertaining anything that may divert your attention away from the task at hand — riding your bicycle safely — you can best practice bicycle safety.
Follow Bicycle Safety Rules
It is essential to follow bicycle safety rules to protect all riders from catastrophic injuries. Sticking to these rules keeps everyone safe and helps promote a culture of cooperative and competent bicyclists.
Remember to wear a helmet and reflective clothing, always follow the rules of the road, and obey the law. For more information about bicycle safety rules, visit a local cycling organization.
Let’s work together to create a safer biking community for everyone! For more reads aside from how to ride a bike safely, visit our blog.