Essential Safety Tips For Cyclists

It never ceases to amaze how many people who ride bikes do not have the correct safety gear and are unconcerned for their own safety. Many cyclists think that they have right of way and therefore it is the cars responsibility to avoid creating any difficulty. This is most certainly not the case, it is the individuals responsibility to make themselves seen and safe so as not to endanger themselves or any road user. If you follow some simple safety rules below you make your journeys safer for yourself and for your fellow road users.

No Brains Safety
If you ignore this advice this could be exactly what happens to you, wear a bike helmet it is that simple! No one wants to break arms and legs but if this does happen you have a good chance of being able to fix the problem, if you damage your head you are less likely to be so lucky. The best and most important thing is that you can do something about it, wear a bike helmet and give yourself a real chance, you can get anything from an expensive top of the range model for all those gadget wiz kids out there or a good quality, good value helmet that will do the job and protect your head.

You need to make sure the bike helmet that you choose is safe for use on the road, there is no point buying a helmet that will fall apart upon impact. You need to make sure that the straps are done up properly and tightly enough so that the helmet is secure and comfortable on your head. You need the cycling helmet to be secure on your head because if you are hit or fall and it moves it won't be protecting your head any longer.

Take Time to Reflect
Being a small vehicle on the road it is your responsibility to show others that you are there. Wearing reflective garments is a great place to start, it might not be the most fashionable look but neither will being in multiple plaster casts! Wearing a full reflective jacket would be the perfect item because it will bring significant attention to you, alerting drivers and other road users of your presence. A reflective belt that goes across your body and round your waist will also be good because it will reflect a good amount of light showing other road users your presence. Most cycling jerseys have reflective strips on them which adds to your overall protection whilst out on the roads.

All Lit Up
As well as reflective clothing it is vital that you have the appropriate lights on your bike and preferably one on yourself too! You can get a whole series of bike lights from models that flash to ones that are constant. You should have a light on the front and the back of your bike so you can be clearly seen from either direction giving you maximum safety. Battery bike lights are the most popular type of light because the power source is easy to maintain and replace.

If you are a frequent cyclist and would like to have a dependable constant power source a dynamo light is a great investment. You don't have to concern yourself about charging a battery because the source is attached to the bicycle it is charged as you cycle along. This means that you will always have a safety light so you can be sure that you will be seen and not using batteries means that you will be doing your bit for the environment too.

On your bike you should use the same sequence of coloured lights as you would find on a car with white lights on the front and red lights on the back. A rechargeable bike light is another great alternative for those who cycle on a regular basis and want to be eco friendly, just recharge the batteries after use and then they will be ready for the next day.

You can also add lights to your helmet to attract even more attention to yourself, there are LED lights that slot into the grooves of a helmet that are unbelievably light weight and are perfect for making you even safer. You can also get a miners style bike light that you attach to your helmet that will help enhance your visibility on the road making your journey safer because you can see more of the road in front of you.

Always remember that it is your duty whilst out on the road to make yourself seen for your safety and the safety of all other road users.