Bicycle Safety Tips for Riding on the Road

The Naples, FL area is a fantastic place for cycling. If you’re going to get out on the road and take advantage of all the cycling the community has to offer, it’s important to practice smart bicycle safety. Here are some cycling safety tips to keep you safe on the road.

Know and respect the rules of the road

If you’re going to be cycling on the street, you have to know—and abide by—the rules of the road. Just because you’re on a bicycle doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow laws. Bicyclists need to obey all applicable signs and lanes, be aware of lights, rights of way and more for their own and others’ safety.

Drive defensively

In a contest between a car and a bicycle, the car is always going to win. Even cyclists who know and obey all the rules of the road can run into trouble when they encounter drivers who don’t do the same. If you’re going to bike on a road with cars, it’s important to drive defensively. All vehicles, especially larger vehicles like buses, trucks and large SUVs, have blind spots that cyclists should be aware of. Blind spots or “dead angles” are the reason that cyclists should never ride up alongside a bus or a truck. If a driver of a large vehicle makes a turn, they might not see you in their blind spot, and you could be hit.

It’s not fair, but it’s true that some drivers don’t follow the rules of the road. Bicycle safety includes being ready for the worst-case scenario.

Invest in the right gear

If you’re going to practice bicycle safety, you need to have the proper safety gear. Obviously, this includes a helmet. Not all helmets are equally effective, however. Be sure to buy a high-quality helmet that fits you correctly and is not too old. If you’re not sure about your helmet, ask for help at your local bike shop in Naples, FL. The experts at Big Momma’s Bicycles can help you find the right helmet for you.

You should also invest in high-visibility clothing to wear when you’re cycling. It may sound silly, but this clothing actually protects you from accidents by making drivers more aware of your presence on the road. If you’re not sure what counts as “hi-vis,” a good place to start is with a cycling vest, along with ankle and knee reflectors, especially if you’re planning to ride at night. Wearing reflectors will significantly reduce your odds of getting into an accident.

Use bike lights

Bike lights are not optional if you’re interested in bicycle safety. If you ride in heavy traffic (though a good cycling safety tip is to avoid high-traffic times), you might want to invest in smart bike lights, which change depending on how fast you’re riding.

Keep your bike in good repair

All of these cycling safety tips aren’t going to mean much if your bike falls apart on you. Proper bike maintenance is the backbone of bicycle safety. It goes without saying that you need to maintain your bike to at least a reasonable standard. At a minimum, ensure your brakes are good and that the bike is mechanically sound.

If it’s time for a tune-up or you want to get your bike examined by an expert, come see the team at Big Momma’s Bicycles in Naples, FL today!

Categorised in: Bike Safety