The number of Americans who ride bikes are increasing all the time. With more and more riders on the roads, bike paths and trails we put together our top 5 tips for beginner cyclists on bike safety that will help you ride better and safer.
Wear a helmet. Statistics state that head injuries are the cause of 60% of all cycling deaths in the U.S. each year. Sadly, many of these deaths could have been avoided if everyone wore a helmet while cycling. You should always wear a helmet when riding and you need to be sure your children do also. In many states there are already bike helmet laws in place for minors, but you should always set a good example and wear one even if you don’t have too.
Don’t stay in high gear. For long term comfort you want to try & keep your cadence between 70/90 rpm’s. One of the discomforts most often experienced when you pedal in a high gear over time is that it puts added strain on your knees.
Be Gear Smart. Know your gears and what they are for. When you are climbing up hills shift into a gear that will keep your cadence in the correct range of rpm’s so you can make the climb without putting extra stress on your knees.
Follow the rules. Always ride with traffic. Road signs are placed for all vehicles – mot just motorized ones, obey them. Make sure you pay attention and closely watch all cars in front of you and to either side so that you can try to anticipate what their next move will be.
Keep your eyes on the road. Don’t look down, look out in front of you . If you look out on your line of travel, far enough ahead, you can more rapidly react to an obstacle in the road or on the shoulder in front of you. Knowing what is in front of you (like storm drain grates) will help you avoid obstacles that are very bad for skinny road bike tires.
