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Before you hop on your bike and go out for a spin, learn the dos and dont’s of cycling safely. The more informed you are on how to stay safe while biking, the smaller the chance of getting into an accident. Here are some things to keep in mind next time you are out for a spin on your bike!
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The Dos of Cycling
- Do stop for stop signs and red lights.
- Do obey traffic laws and traffic signs.
- Do be careful of road conditions and debris. If road conditions are not great, you may want to consider cycling when conditions are more palatable.
- Do ride with the flow of traffic (this is typically the right side of the road). Share the road with cars if needed, but stay to the right of the lane.
- Do use hand signals to communicate where you intend on going. This will give other cyclists and drivers some warning of your intentions.
- Do use lights and wear reflective clothing when you are biking at night. Doing so will increase your visibility to others.
- Do yield to other cars and cyclists when entering roadways.
- Do be mindful of cars, trailers, and trucks making wide turns! Give them some extra room.
- ALWAYS wear a properly fitting helmet. If you are unsure about how your helmet should fit, head into a bike shop where they can find one that suits you. A helmet can save your life in an accident.
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The Don’ts
- Don’t block traffic when traveling in the same lane as other cyclists.
- Don’t use your phone while biking. Like driving a car, cycling when distracted can cause accidents when you are not focused on the task at hand.
- NEVER bike while intoxicated. After drinking, do not ride a bike. Alcohol impairs coordination, judgement, and response times. All of these things are essential to keep you safe while you are riding around, especially if you are sharing the road with cars.
- Don’t bike aggressively. Similar to driving, biking aggressively can quickly become dangerous. Stay in the designated bike lane, if there is one, and be patient.
- Don’t ride on sidewalks. These are designated areas for pedestrians and they are not expecting to have bikes there. Sidewalks can also be uneven and dangerous riding surface.
If you are driving a car, be careful around cyclists as well. You may find yourself sharing a road with bikers. If you do, be patient and drive with caution. They have the same rights on the road as other cars. When passing bikers, give them at least 3 feet of space. Learn more about sharing the road with cyclists here!
If you have questions about safety on the road, talk to an Encharter agent. We are here to help answer any questions or concerns you have about your safety! Give us a call!
