Safety Tips for Riding a Bicycle
- Biking represents an inexpensive, healthy transportation option.Yellow Dog Productions/Lifesize/Getty Images
Bicycling represents an inexpensive mode of transportation that's good for your health and for the environment. However, riding a bike without following safety guidelines can put you or others in danger. Approximately 800 people suffer bicycle-related deaths occur each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and 500,000 more experience injuries that require emergency treatment. - Always wear a properly fitted CPSC-approved helmet when riding your bike. Never leave the straps unfastened, tip the helmet back to expose your forehead or wear a hat underneath your helmet. Always get a new helmet if you've been in a crash.
- Don't wear loose pants that can get caught in your bicycle chain. Always wear sneakers that allow your feet to grip the pedal. Don't bicycle in sandals or high heels. Don't listen to music while biking, because it could distract you from the sounds of traffic.
- Check your brakes at the beginning of each ride. In addition, check your tire pressure and bicycle chain on a regular basis.
- Watch out for common hazards on roads and paths, such as puddles, wet leaves, curbs, storm grates and gravel. In addition, watch for and be courteous of pedestrians, children and other bicyclists.
- If you ride your bike on the street, ride with traffic and obey traffic laws and signs, such as stop signs and lane markings. Never ride against traffic. Ride in bike lanes, if possible. Use hand signals to indicate when you are going to turn or stop and always yield to traffic when turning onto roads.
- Don't ride your bike at night, if possible, because you are much less visible to drivers at night. If you must ride at night, make sure your bike has reflectors on the front, back and tires. If possible, wear clothing that has reflectors.
