Cycling to your work every day can help you save more than $1000 a year. Aside from this, it also enables you to maintain a healthy body as you technically get to exercise without veering away from your busy work schedule. However, while this may seem really enticing, city cycling can actually be dangerous.
Compared to other road accidents, cyclists are more prone to road crashes with other oversized vehicles. Even if you’re cycling just around your block, you can get into a road crash which may pose severe injuries. If you’re planning to cycle to your work this 2023, here are a few tips on making yourself safe on the road.
Causes of City Cycling
1. Unpaved roads
A small pothole can make you lose your balance. This is especially true for commuter bicycles, as they tend to have thinner tires. To avoid this, ensure you ride close to the curb to retain your balance easily should you encounter potholes or other road defects.
2. Maneuvring beside larger vehicles
Maneuvering beside vehicles when you in a bike can be extremely challenging–so much so that even opening doors can cause accidents. However, the most common error among cyclists is not avoiding blind spots.
Buses, trucks, and other large vehicles have blind spots, especially on their right side. So, avoid overtaking these vehicles, especially when they’re turning right. Aside from this, you should also ensure that you remain visible to the drivers through bike lights and other cycling accessories. The general rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, then they can’t see you, and you have to yield.
3. Not following road regulations
You’re still subject to all road rules and regulations despite only having two wheels. You must ride in the direction of traffic, stay away from sidewalks, follow traffic lights and signs, and yield if needed. Remember that pedestrians are the priority on the road if there are no traffic signals, so make sure to yield to them when needed.
4. Incomplete cycling accessories
Speaking of road regulations, some countries and major cities require various cycling accessories such as bike lights. This is because road visibility is the major cause of road crashes involving cyclists. Most roads require a front light of 200-400 lumens and 50-100 lumens for the rear light–going below this light requirement may cause you to be pulled up.
5. Not being assertive enough
Riding beside large vehicles in a single lane can be really dangerous–so be assertive in occupying a lane. Riding in a single lane will increase your visibility to other road users, reducing the risk of road crashes.
Tips on City Cycling
1. Check your bike
Check your brakes, tire pressure, and cycling accessories every time you go out. Remember that a single faulty mechanism on your bicycle can cause a serious accident on the road that may affect you and other people. So, take a minute or two on your schedule to ensure your bicycle is running correctly.
2. Practice maneuvering
While correct pedaling is the secret to long-distance countryside riding, proper maneuvering is an essential bike skill when riding in the city. You’d have to know when to use your body weight when braking, turn safely and use your gears properly.
Before heading out to a busy street, it’s best to practice maneuvering on empty streets.
3. Be mindful of car doors
While this may seem weird, opening car doors regularly causes road accidents to cyclists. Never assume that parked cars are empty. Never assume drivers and passengers look out before opening the door, too. When cycling beside a parked car, keep a slow pace.
4. Get a brake light
For beginners in urban cycling, one of the best cycling accessories is a brake light, most importantly, one with an accelerometer. These kinds of brake lights go off before you come to a full stop. That way, the driver behind you would know your movement.
5. Use hand signals
Aside from cycling accessories that help you notify other road users of your movement, it would be best to learn hand signals. Aside from showing courtesy to other drivers, it could also help you prevent accidents with pedestrians. Most road users don’t realize that proper communication with other motorists is key to road safety.
6. Position yourself in the traffic properly
Aside from riding in the curb instead of the gutter, ensure that you’re riding on a traffic lane with the same speed. This will prevent the risk of road collisions.
If you have to move slower, move to the outer lane and signal other drivers with your intent to switch lanes. Check the motorists behind you frequently and use proper hand signals.
7. Train before you ride
Last but not least, if you’re going to prepare your gear and cycling accessories, you have to prepare yourself, too. Make sure you’ve already built enough power and endurance before cycling to work every day.
Also, ensure you’re fully aware that cycling to work isn’t as smooth as cycling in the park. You’d be riding through motorists who also want to keep up with their schedules and pedestrians who want to get to where they’re supposed to be. You might encounter a couple of inconveniences daily, so developing patience and understanding is also necessary.
With proper knowledge and accessories, cycling to work every day can be safe and fun.
It’s high time that we change the course of public commuting. Cycling doesn’t just allow us to save money and maintain a healthy body, but it also gives us the ability to protect the environment. While it may be tricky initially, your everyday ride can be delightful with the proper cycling knowledge and accessories.
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