Riding a bike, especially in town on the same streets where cars are going to be driving, is somewhat perilous.
You must keep safety at the forefront of your mind during such excursions.
When riding a bike, you’re incredibly vulnerable to danger. Unlike when you’re driving a car, you’re not surrounded by a protective layer. You’re completely exposed to the elements around you.
What if you were to get struck by an oncoming motorist? What if you were to get t-boned, and potentially even run over, all without any protective layer between yourself and the metal of the oncoming car (and the rough dirt, gravel, or pavement of the ground beneath you)?
With all of that being said, understanding exactly how to stay safe while riding a bicycle isn’t always necessarily easy either.
That’s exactly why we decided to put together this guide to help you stay safe while riding your bike, using 7 of the most important bike safety tips.
Let’s get to it…
1. Wear A Helmet
This is the most basic and important safety tip on our list.
You certainly don’t want to ride around without a helmet.
Helmets protect your head in the unfortunate event of an accident.
This is crucial.
Sometimes, you may also run into trouble which requires you to carry TBOTECH steel batons to protect yourself.
2. Check Your Bike
Performing a safety evaluation before you depart on your ride is another incredibly important safety tip.
Make sure that the wheels are attached securely, that the breaks work, that the seat is secured, that the chain is functioning properly, and that the handlebars aren’t loose.
You should also make sure that your tires are adequately inflated.
If something comes loose while you’re riding, you’ll take a tumble and potentially hurt yourself.
3. Stay Alert
Staying alert is one of the most important safety tips that you can deploy during the actual ‘riding’ process.
In other words, keep a constant lookout for where traffic is coming from—as well as for any other potential dangers that may cross your path.
You’re not very protected while riding a bicycle.
Your entire body is exposed to a potential disaster!
Even a small incident can lead to major injuries.
4. Get A Lawyer
If you get hit by a vehicle while riding your bike, you’ll want to make sure that you’re covered legally so that you can get fair compensation for the accident.
As a bicyclist, you have rights. So make sure to cover this crucial detail.
A lot of people underestimate the importance of being covered and protected legally as a bicyclist—but it matters.
JT Legal Group, a legal firm out of California, describes it as such:
“You’ve gone through a terrible experience, and to add insult to injury – quite literally – you have all those legal matters hovering above your head.”
5. Wear Reflective Clothing
Visibility is a serious safety element while riding a bike.
The better other motorists can see you, the safer you’ll be.
Sometimes, wearing reflective clothing can even be enough to prevent an accident altogether.
And prevention is always better.
You know what they say…
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
And when it comes to bike accidents, this is 100% true!
6. Follow The Law
Whenever you’re riding a bike in the same vicinity as other vehicles, it’s incredibly important to follow the laws of the road.
Other vehicles will expect you to do this—and if you deviate from this pattern, you could be putting yourself at risk by throwing unknown variables into the equation.
Ride safe, ride according to the law, and ride conservatively. This is always a better approach than performing ‘risky’ maneuvers while riding a bike across town!
7. Use A Headlight
If you only ride around during the day, this may not be quite as important.
However, even during the day in some situations, a bicycle headlight can help to make it easier to see and increase your overall safety.
If you ride at night, this is an absolute must-have.
Your bike should always be outfitted with a proper bicycle headlight to help signal your presence to other motorists. If these measures seem to not give you enough peace of mind, consider getting a life cover.
Conclusion
There you have it. Our 7 best safety tips that every bike rider should keep in mind.
Equipped with these tips, you should be well on your way to a safe ride without incident.
Good luck, and be careful out there.
