Be Safe And Seen When Riding Your Bicycle

Bike safety is a big issue in the UK, particularly in our towns and cities where you get a lot of cars, lorries and bicycles all using the road together. With around 17,000 cycling casualties in the UK each year, staying vigilant and safe on your bike should be a priority for every cyclist.

If you're new to cycling, there are some really important safety accessories that you need to buy before going out on your bike. First and foremost, you should invest in a decent bike helmet that fits you properly. Make sure it sits snugly on your head without any movement, but is still comfortable to wear. You should never ever buy a second hand bike helmet - you can't be sure it hasn't been involved in a previous accident, which would mean it could have been damaged and won't protect your head properly.

Next, you should buy a set of bike lights to help ensure you stay visible at night. It's actually the law to use cycle lights as soon as daylight starts to fade. Legally you should display a white front light and a red rear light, as well as reflectors which will help to make you more visible in the beam of a car's headlights.

Lots of cycling experts now recommend LED lights as the best bike lights to use, due to their extra bright beam. Many LED bike lights also come with rechargeable batteries, which can help to cut down the cost of buying new ones, and a flashing light mode that can boost your visibility to other road users.

As well as a set of bike lights, it's an extremely good idea to wear some high visibility clothing when out on your bicycle. Many cycling jerseys now come with neon strips that will make you much more easily seen, or you could buy a hi-vis vest to wear over your usual clothing.

Even if you've got all the right safety accessories, you still need to use basic cycling sense when out and about on the road. Around 75% of cycling accidents happen at or near a road junction, so you must be particularly vigilant in these sorts of areas. Always take a good look around before pulling out at a junction, and take extra care at roundabouts where motorists and lorry drivers may fail to spot you. Buy the right kit, and follow the correct advice, and you should stay safe and seen on the road.