More and more of Britain’s towns and cities are becoming cyclist-friendly, offering an ever-greater spread of dedicated cycle path and routes. Whenever, wherever you take to two wheels however, you need to make sure you’re properly kitted out and prepared for every possible scenario you might face. Personal injury claims are commonly made as a result of cycling accidents and keep personal injury solicitors busy! So here are some handy safety tips.
Get the right gear
You don’t need super professional kit like Sir Chris Hoy to get on your folding exercise bike! But it does help if you wear appropriate clothing.
Wear clothes that let you move freely – but which won’t get caught in your chain or wheels or cover your front or back light.
Wear light-coloured or reflective clothing that helps road users see you in poor light and daylight
It also helps to wear reflective accessories such as an armband or ankle bands when cycling at night
A good quality helmet is a must (buy it new, not second hand). It must fit well and be squarely positioned on your head
The helmet must be securely fastened and make sure there is room for two fingers between your chin and the strap
Fit front and rear lights
Fitting lights to your bike is essential if you’re planning to cycle at night or even if the weather/visibility is poor (likely in the UK, especially during the winter). The following lights are compulsory:
White front light
Red rear reflector
red light at the rear
Amber/yellow pedal reflectors – front and back on each pedal
You can use additional reflectors/lights to help increase your visibility such as:
reflectors on your spokes on the front and back wheels
these must be white at the front and red at the back – and must not dazzle other road users
If your additional lights flash, it must be at a rate of one to four flashes a second
The right approach to road cycling
Cycling on any road carries risks. But it’s particularly on busy roads in towns and cities that you need to take care. Motorists travel faster than cyclists and, sadly, many don’t pay attention to the needs of cyclists. So…
cycle positively confidently and decisively, signalling your intentions clearly in advance
try to anticipate what other cyclists and drivers will do, making eye contact to make sure they know you’re there
ride at least a metre from the kerb and a car-door width away parked cars
acknowledge courtesy from other drivers – it creates goodwill!
Other things to consider
If you have to carry items when riding, use pannier bags or a small bike-friendly rucksack – don’t overload yourself, as it could affect your balance
Make sure you have a bell fitted to your bike, to make people aware of your presence if required – especially on shared paths
Never use your i-Pod or mobile phone while cycling – it’s a distraction and may cause you to have an accident
Lastly, why not consider cycle training to build your confidence?