Bike Safety - The Importance of Activeness

Bike Safety, at its simplest is, about exercising common sense and staying alert. We know we have to wear a helmet and light up our bike, but this still leaves a lot out of our control. A helmet is only useful after you have crashed, and lights still leave you dependent on the behaviour and level of awareness of others on the road. Whilst Bike Helmets and Bike Lights are completely essential, there are a lot of strategies you can employ to take control, protect yourself and keep away from accidents altogether.

The first thing to think about is the places you are cycling. Busy main roads that you would use to get to work in your car are not necessarily suitable for your bike. Decreasing the risk of an accident involves putting yourself in situations where accidents are least likely to occur. Plan your route cautiously and try to steer clear of as many main roads as possible.

Assuming that you are visible to everybody from wearing reflectors and lights is silly. You should presume that you haven't been seen by any other road user, and make decisions based on this assumption. That way, you're not placing your safety in anyone else's hands. Lights, reflectors and other high visual clothing is your second line of defence.

Another thing to remember is that you never know what's around the next corner. Stay alert and respond to the roadway you're on. If it's a wide road with plenty of girth for the cars, you can stay to the side without too much trouble. On a small road, however, it's best to take up more of the lane, making yourself more noticeable to road users coming up behind you or waiting to turn into your road. You are also further from parked cars at the side of the road, which prevents you cycling into drivers opening doors without warning.

Safety gear is, of course, still tremendously vital - and available from online cycle stores like AW Cycles - but it is only half of your protection against the dangers the modern world poses for cyclists. The other half is you, and how you act on the road.