Bicycle is a fun sport that boosts your stamina and improves your balance. It’s also a terrific way to make friends, meet new people, and take your car off the road for a while.
Although cycling is a great way to keep your body in shape and exercise, it can also be life-threatening and endangering if you’re not careful.
Several people across the world get seriously injured as a result of being distracted or ignoring traffic rules. That’s why we created this guide to help you protect yourself from bicycle accidents. Keep reading for some great tips!
Tips To Stay Safe While Riding Your Bicycle
Here are some tips and tricks to stay safe while riding a bicycle:
Suitable Size
First things first, when buying a bicycle, choose one that suits your body. If you buy a bike that’s too small or too large for you, it will be difficult for you to handle properly.
Choosing the right bike correlates with your height and weight. Be sure to review the measurement table when browsing. This will help you pick the right bike.
An ideal one should allow you to stand upright with just 2 inches of space between the seat and the base of your legs. It’s best to ask the salesperson for advice on choosing the right bike.
In addition, before riding your two-wheeler, you need to make sure that it is in the best possible condition. The tires should be inflated enough and the brakes should be functioning properly. Moreover, you can adjust your seat as needed for your comfort.
Putting on a Helmet
Many cyclists overlook wearing a helmet, which is a reason why a large number of them have horrible accidents. Studies show that wearing a helmet can reduce head injuries by 70%.
All bicycle injuries cause great pain, but head injuries can cause trauma and death. In addition, the main purpose of the helmet is to protect the skull from knocks and bumps.
Therefore, it is imperative to always wear a helmet to keep your head and neck protected, should you be involved in a crash. In the unfortunate event of having a bicycle accident, you will need to get a new helmet if yours has been damaged.
If you ever do get into an accident, It is extremely advised to hire a lawyer to protect your legal rights and provide the best possible compensation. As the specialized lawyers from the Bakersfield law firm suggest, don’t hesitate to hire a bicycle injury lawyer to help you follow up on your legal rights. There is no greater compensation than a healthy and safe body, so you should wear a helmet as an essential safety device.
Canceling Distractions
Your life can be at great risk with cycling alone, so don’t distract yourself and make it worse. Minimize distractions and pay attention to the road.
Instead of listening to blaring music through your headphones, enjoy the surrounding environment and breathe in the refreshing air. Listening to your favorite playlists is fun, but wearing headphones is very dangerous.
You need to pay attention to your senses when riding a bike, especially during rush hours. As any vehicle approaches, you should be able to hear its horns, whistles, and sounds.
Even if the streets you choose are quiet and light in traffic, you need to be aware of other vehicles and threats that can jeopardize your safety.
Using Two Hands
One of the great benefits of cycling is that it improves your balance dramatically, enabling you to ride without necessarily using both of your hands to manage the handlebars.
Unfortunately, doing so endangers your life and makes you vulnerable to bumps or collisions. If you let go of the handlebars, it becomes harder for you to use the brakes quickly when needed or to turn if a passerby crosses the street or a hazardous object appears suddenly.
When you can’t stop in time, you can fall off your bike and get injured or hit someone. Additionally, it can be extra difficult to control the bicycle even while using both hands when pedaling on craggy surfaces or cobbles.
As you would expect, things can get worse when showing off your skills by riding without placing your hands on the handlebars.
Riding your bicycle in the morning is precious. Morning rides distract you from your boring daily routine and allow you to enjoy the nice breeze. Sadly, this comes at a price because cycling is one of the top crash-causing activities.
If you’re concerned about safety, which you definitely should be, there are some important tips you should learn more about to stay safe when riding your bike.
Do not underestimate the given instructions as doing so can expose you to life-threatening situations and increase your chances of having serious injuries. Go through the listed tips and follow them on your next cycling trip.