Useful Tips That Can Help You Stay Safe While Riding A Bicycle

Cycling is quite fun, and no one can deny that it's a healthy sport and an economical way of transportation at the same time. However, cycling accidents surpass other road accidents, indicating that the deaths rates and serious injuries are relatively high. The ugly truth is that the roads are not safer for cyclers, and the dangers cannot be eliminated or predicted. This is precisely why people on bicycles should try to keep themselves as safe as they can by taking extra precautionary measures so that if they're ever exposed to an accident, they should be able to keep themselves safe. Luckily, everyone has an excellent chance to limit accident risks or reduce injuries. Read through our helpful tips that can help you stay safe while riding a bicycle.

Check Your Bike's Efficiency

Before riding your bike and hitting the road, make sure it's fit and safe to use. Check all the parts now and then to guarantee the efficiency and safety of all parts, especially the tires and brakes. Like any road vehicle, all parts are subject to replacement after some time or certain mileage. If you experience a sudden streak or flat tires, that's a sign that your tires should be replaced and that they're no longer safe to cycle on them. Before riding your bike, the brakes need to be adjusted; if you can't do it yourself, seek the help of a bike shop. If your bike has hand brakes, you should slightly apply the rear ones first if you need to stop. 

Wear A Helmet

Even with a helmet, the risk of injury is not 100% eliminated, but it can still save your life by reducing the injury risk by more than 50%. In most bicycle accidents, head injuries are the most fatal ones, your brain is responsible for all your body's vitals, and it needs to be well protected. When you buy a helmet, making sure it's the right fit and best quality means investing in your safety and well-being. 

You Need To See and Be Seen

When riding your bike on the road, there are many others in their vehicles and pedestrians sharing the same road with you. It's a shared responsibility, and you must understand that being on your bike makes you more vulnerable if any accidents happen. Make sure to see clearly around, especially in intersections where most accidents occur. One of the leading causes of bike accidents is visibility, so make yourself visible by wearing reflective materials and installing reflectors on your bike. Being clearly seen will reduce the risks of accidents.

Keep Both Hands on the Handles

Cycling is all about balance; maintaining full balance requires proper riding; you may be an expert, an excellent rider, but sharing the road with others is a huge responsibility. Any negligence from any party can cost you your life. If an accident occurs, it's usually something that you can't predict; having both hands on the bike's handles can help you react faster in unexpected events. Being subject to a road accident can be overwhelming. This is why a bicycle accident injury attorney is necessary for such a scenario as they are experienced and aware of all the required steps and legislation in such incidents. An injury lawyer will be able to walk you through your rights, help you with your medical bills, find the best health provider for your injury, and assist you through legal procedures, especially if your accidents happen because of the negligence of a vehicle driver.

Limit the Distractions

Cycling in the fresh air is a great and fun experience; some people use it for exercise, and others are out there for a fun activity. In all cases, you must focus since you're more vulnerable to risks of accidents and injuries. Electronics are the number one distraction causing fatal accidents on the road in general. Make sure you have a backpack where you can keep all your gadgets safe. Have access to a water bottle that can be easily used while cycling. Keep your eyes fixed on the road and your surroundings, and keep both hands on the handles.

Ride Like A Vehicle's Driver

When driving a vehicle, you're used to sticking to lanes, respecting traffic signals, and following the same patterns as other drivers. You don't weave around with your vehicle or cut through several lanes as some cyclists do; vehicle drivers can not predict such behaviors, and that's when accidents might happen. On the other hand, going in the same direction of traffic flow, respecting traffic rules, behaving predictably, and imitating other vehicles' actions will limit the risks of road accidents. 

Stay Off Sidewalks

While sidewalks may seem to be a safer option for cycling, unfortunately, the truth is far from that. Sidewalks are designed for pedestrians, and they need to walk safely without being harmed. The possibility of crashing into pedestrians is likely to happen, especially if the sidewalk is busy. Sidewalks are usually less paved and not smooth; you may hit a bump or a crack, fly off your bike, and seriously get injured. Also, at some point, you need to get off the sidewalk and back onto the road again, which is another fatal risk since a vehicle's driver can't predict it.

Cycling is an amusement; it's a great way to disconnect after a lousy day at work or even take a break from the daily boring routine of life. Before you take your bike and hit the road, you must understand that most bicycle accidents are associated with the behaviors of cyclers on the road. A significant number of fatal injuries occurred due to the lack of helmet use and other safety measures, like wearing reflective colors and installing bike's reflectors in order to be clearly seen by other vehicle drivers. You need to act and behave like a driver; weaving in and out of traffic, crossing lanes, and neglecting traffic signals are actions that car drivers can not predict. These behaviors might result in an accident and fatal injuries.