6 tips for safe cycling

Biking on city streets presents dangers to cyclists, motorists and pedestrians alike. To ensure everyone’s safety, here are six guidelines bicyclists should follow.

1. Wear a helmet
In the event of an accident, wearing a helmet greatly reduces your chances of suffering a serious head injury. Make sure that your helmet fits well and that the straps sit snugly against the sides of your face and under your chin. Also, be sure to choose a helmet manufactured according to strict safety standards (look for a sticker from a safety standards organization such as Snell, ANSI, ASTM, BSI, SAA or CPSC).

2. Inspect your bicycle
A well-performing and properly maintained bike is safer than one that’s run down and needs work. Regularly check the following be¬fore hitting the road:

• Tire pressure
• The condition of the spokes
• The alignment of the wheels and the forks
• The tautness of the chain
• The functioning of the brakes.

Only ride bikes that are the appropriate size. Ensure that the seat and handlebars are set at the right height.

3. Make yourself visible
If you cycle at night or when visibility is limited, make sure your bike is equipped with a white front light, a red rear light or reflector, white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks. As an extra precaution, consider wearing reflective clothing and equipping your bike with vertical and horizontal safety flags.

4. Make yourself heard
Bikes are extremely quiet, so it’s important to always announce your presence to other cyclists and pedestrians. Use a bell, horn or your voice to indicate that you’re passing or approaching.

5. Communicate your intentions
Know the hand signals for turning and stopping and always use them when changing lanes, making a turn or coming to a stop. This is for the benefit of motorists and other cyclists. Moreover, make sure to do a shoulder check before signalling and another one just before turning.

6. Remain alert
Distracted cycling is as dangerous as distracted driving. Don’t ever text or talk on the phone while riding your bike. And avoid wearing earphones as it’s important that you hear what’s happening around you.

By following these recommendations and abiding by the local traffic laws, you’ll reduce the risks involved in cycling.

Did you know?

Hand signals
When you’re cycling, you need to communicate with others on the road when you want to turn or stop. Here are the three main hand signals cyclists and drivers should know. (Figures represent cyclists as viewed from the rear.)

Right turn
To signal a right turn, you have two options. One method is to simply extend your right arm horizontally. Alternatively, you can bend your left arm upward at the elbow so that your hand points up, with the palm forward.

Left turn
To signal a left turn, simply extend your left arm horizontally (in other words, point left, but with an open palm).

Stop
To signal that you’re stopping, bend your left arm downward at the elbow so that your hand is pointing to the ground and the palm is facing backward.