Biking is a great way to stay fit and sightsee, but it can be dangerous when you’re riding on the road with cars or on crowded biking paths. There is no way to totally avoid accidents but taking steps to make yourself more visible when cycling can help you stay safe when you’re out enjoying a ride. Keep these safety tips in mind to ensure that you’re as safe as possible when you’re cycling:
Ride In The Daylight
One of the easiest ways to stay more visible when cycling is to ride during the day when there’s plenty of light. If you prefer to ride on a crowded path or on a road with a lot of cars you should ride during the day when the light is bright and there’s a better chance that drivers will be able to see you.
Wear Reflective Clothing
Reflective clothing is smart whenever you’re exercising outdoors. Even if you’re cycling during the day reflective clothing will make a difference in your visibility. But if you prefer to ride in the evening or at night, or in the very early mornings, wearing reflective clothing is essential to make sure that you are visible. If you don’t have any reflective workout gear you can add stick on adhesive reflective patches to your favorite gear to make you more visible.
Light Up Your Bike
Your clothes are just part of the safety equation. Having lights on your bike will boost your visibility also. Add a bright headlight to your bike to make your bike visible and to make sure that you can always see what’s in front of you. Brake lights or rear lights are a smart idea too. You can add LED lights to the bike frame and a light disc in the wheel spokes if you want to boost your visibility even more.
Make Some Noise
While technically making noise won’t make you more visible it will make it easier for drivers to notice you. Even if you are wearing reflective clothes and have lights on your bike if you are in a driver’s blind spot that driver won’t be able to see you. Put a bell or an alarm on your bike or add noisemakers to the spokes in the wheels that can alert drivers to your presence. A horn works well too if you want to have a horn installed on your bike.
Avoid the Right
Passing a car at an intersection on the right side can be dangerous. To avoid a “right hook”, make sure a driver is aware you are by them. If the light is red, do not stop in their blind spot. Instead, stop far enough back where you’ll be visible in their mirror. You’ll be more likely to be seen and less likely to be caught in the unfortunate situation of a right hook.
This article was created Personal Injury Help (www.personalinjury-law.com), an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only. Be sure to review your local cycling ordinances to ensure you ride safe and legally!
