Bike riding can be a great way to exercise and spend time outside. While it is safest to ride on a designated bike trail, they are not always closely available. It is important to practice bicycle safety when riding a bike, especially in cities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 698 deaths and 43,000 injuries from bike accidents in 2007. The number of biking accidents can be reduced if safety measures are taken. The following are 10 safety tips for riding a bicycle in the city:
1.)Always wear a helmet. A helmet can be a source of great protection if you were to get into a bicycle accident. It protects your head and brain from serious injury. Wearing a helmet has become a safety standard for the US government. It is important to make sure your helmet fits properly, is worn the right way, and always strapped on correctly. Even if you are going for a short ride, wearing a helmet is a must.
2.)Put reflectors on your bike. Having reflectors attached to your bike will allow cars to see you, during the day and night time. Often, people driving cars are not able to see a bicyclist from far away, but they will see the reflectors.
3.)If you are riding at night, have a rear light attached to your bike. You wouldn’t drive a car at night without headlights, so why ride a bike without a rear light. In 1999, it was reported that 39% of bicycle deaths occurred between 6pm and midnight. Drivers can see a rear light at night, even when they can’t see you.
4.)Use a mirror. Just like if you were driving a car, mirrors help you see behind you without you having to turn around. Having a mirror will allow you to see if there is a car behind you and alert you if you need to move out of the way of a vehicle.
5.)Signal your turns. It is important to let motorists know your intentions so they can be alert. If you attempting to turn right, put out your right arm. If you are turning left, signal with your left arm. Make sure you signal before you turn, as opposed to signaling as you are in the middle of turning.
6.)Do not use music players. While it can be fun to listen to music while riding a bike, it can be dangerous. The music can act as a distraction and take your mind away from being cautious. It can also hide outside sounds that you may need to hear, such as a car horn or siren.
7.)Follow traffic signals. When attempting to cross an intersection make sure the light is green before you go. Follow all signals as you would if you were driving a car. This includes stop signs.
8.)Always ride with traffic. Never ride against traffic. Research has shown that it is much safer to ride a bike as if it were a motor vehicle.
9.)Try to avoid busy streets. While you may want to travel the same route you did when driving a car, it is best to choose streets with less traffic. You may need to consider modifying your route by going through neighborhoods and only crossing the busy streets.
10.)Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. City roads are often filled with unexpected obstacles, such as debris, potholes, parked cars, and sewer grates. By being alert you can avoid these obstacles by safely going around them.
www.bhsi.org