Biking can be a wonderful pastime for all ages with minimal risk. That being said, we also want to ensure that the risks stay minimal by following some basic safety protocols.
1,166 Bicyclists were killed in traffic collisions in 2023
How can we significantly lower this number?
Gear
The most important gear you need to have when cycling is your helmet. Whether day or night, having your helmet on is very important for protecting your head in the event of an accident. While many Americans have chosen not to wear a helmet especially on those hazy, lazy days of summer, helmets can protect your life even on routine bike rides. In 70-80% of fatal bicycle crashes, the rider had no helmet and one could have saved the rider’s life. It is highly important to pick a helmet that fits right and can be adjustable. A good helmet should fit snugly but not too tightly, with the straps secured around the chin and the forehead covered.
Bright clothes are also important to wear, especially when cycling at night. Try not to wear black, grey, or navy blue or pair neutral colors with a brightly colored sweatshirt, hoodie, top, or bottoms. The more bright colors that will stand out, the better!
Additionally, adding reflective stickers to your bicycle can grab the attention of any driver. The most popular area to put the reflective stickers is on the tires; however, you can also add them to the sides of your seat or even the side of your bike itself!
Riding Smart
When out and about, ensure you stick to the side of the road and to bike lanes when available. Obey all traffic laws such as signs, signals, and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. Ensure you are careful at intersections and be careful of parked cars. If you ride too close, you could hit doors that suddenly open!
Make sure to plan your route as well and let others know where you will be even if you are riding with others. Knowing your skill level can also be helpful in choosing your route. For example, if your bike is a beach cruiser and you have only ever biked on pavement, you may not want to jump into mountain biking right away.
Riding defensively and anticipating surroundings can help avoid crashing as well. For example, if you see a family of cyclists coming towards you, it may be in your best interest to assume that the child on the smaller bike has less awareness and experience which may lead to the child swerving in front of you suddenly. Since this is a significant possibility, you will want to slow down and carefully move out of the way if possible.
While many people also love to ride with dogs, do your research first to make sure your breed of pup, age of your furry family member, and natural personality match to make a good riding companion. Dailypaws.com recommends doing training once the pup’s bones are fully developed and taking it slow. Read here with more tips on riding with your furry friend!
Tools to Stay Safe
We recommend the following products for a safe and fun ride!
The perfect riding buddy, this is a bluetooth keychain that can send out a silent alert or scream a 120 decibel alarm. Hang this on a handle bar or hook it to a backpack or bag for maximum results.
A slim, simple crossbody bag that is a wonderful travel companion. The strap is adjustable to ensure it is the ideal length to be able to ride safely!
Situational Awareness: Safety Session
Perfect for teaching you how to be situationally aware, this Safety Session is great for everyday life and biking as well. You can get this Safety Session as an Individual lesson or bundle without other Safety Sessions and save. For more safety tips and discounts, locate your local Damsel Safety Educator here!
