28 Tips For Cycling Safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 784 bicyclists were killed in 2005 while riding their bikes. In 2004, there were 725 deaths, and for the four years previous, annual bicycling deaths ranted from 629 to 732 people each year.
Statistics for bicycling injuries are not readily available, since most do not get reported.
Use the Proper Equipment
1. Be sure your bike fits you properly and is adjusted for Your Size.
2. Equip your bike with safety equipment: a white headlight (preferably one you can set to a flashing mode for use during the daytime to make yourself more visible), reflectors and/or reflective tape or markings, a flashing red rear light (essential for riding at night), a horn or a bell (to give audible signals to let drivers know where you are—or that you’re there at all), and mirrors on your handlebars.
3. Each time, before you ride, check to see that tires are properly inflated, that the brakes work, and that nothing is loose on your bike.
Dress For Cycling
4. Always wear a properly fitted bike helmet to protect you in case of a fall or crash. (Consider putting a mirror on your helmet, too.)
5. Wear bright, neon colors and/or reflective clothing—even during the day.
6. At night, wear a reflective jacket or vest or a safety triangle.
Plan Ahead
7. Know the rules of the road and any specific bicycling rules for your area
8. Plan to travel in slow or residential areas when possible to avoid fast-moving downtown traffic.
9. Avoid narrow roads and opt for wide roads where there is more room for bicycles and cars to maneuver if you can.
10. Always stay alert. Don’t ride with headphones or an ipod. And NEVER use your cell phone while biking!
11. Never be in a hurry. When you’re in a hurry, you can get careless or take unnecessary chances. It also makes it more likely that you could be darting in and out quickly and automobile drivers might not even see you.
When Bicycling
12. Use your headlight—even during the day—so drivers have a better chance of seeing you.
13. Use your mirrors so you know what is going on around you at all times.
14. Ride on the street with other traffic, not on the sidewalk, traveling in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic, not against it.
15. Know—and use—hand signals. Be sure to give plenty of notice in advance of when you are going to make a turn. Then be sure to look over your shoulder to be sure your path is clear before making the actual turn.
16. Be consistent and predictable so motorists know what you are going to do. Drive in a straight line. Don’t swerve, weave in and out of traffic or parked cars, or make any erratic or sudden moves.
17. Obey traffic signs, signals, and road markings and yield to pedestrians – just like any other vehicle on the roadway.
18. Use your horn or bell if you will be crossing in front of another vehicle so you give an audible signal—it’s more likely to get the other motorists attention.
19. Make eye contact with motorists if possible, so you know that they see you.
Drive Defensively
20. Watch for hazards such as pot holes, puddles, loose gravel, spare car parts, drain grates, rocks, litter or garbage, parked cars opening their doors, pets running loose, and other vehicles.
21. Ride to the left of the parking lane to avoid hitting a car door that opens unexpectedly in front of you.
22. At a red light, stop behind another car. Do not pull up next to the first car at the light where you will be in the blind spot and risk getting hit if the car makes a right turn and the driver doesn’t know you’re there.
23. When you follow a vehicle that is moving slow, be patient. It may be getting ready to make a turn. Don’t try to rush past it or get up beside it in the driver’s blind spot.
24. Always look behind you (over your shoulder) before making a turn—for other vehicles, for other bicycles, and for pedestrians.
25. Always look behind you (over your shoulder) before you change your position in the lane of traffic, as a vehicle could be getting ready to come alongside you or pass you.
26. Never swerve in and out of traffic or in and out of the parking lane. Maintain steady placement in your lane.
27. Double check everything! Even if you have the right of way, a car or other vehicle is much larger than a bicycle and for your own safety, you have to be prepared to yield at all times.
28. Always drive, ride, and act as if other drivers can’t see you! Put your safety first.
About the Author
Everyone always says “I know what I need”, but there’s a cycling bikes
out there for every purpose! When considering your new purchase, you should first consider the type of riding you would do and where most of it will be done.
Chinabuye 2 Neon 5 LED Bike Car Wheel Tyre Valve Caps Light Lamp
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BLACK FINISHED 3 BIKE BICYCLE TAILGATE TRUNK MOUNT RACK TRAVEL HITCH CARRIER $29.99 |
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Meon Neon *3-PACK* LED Child Safety Light-Up Bike Wheel FX System! Bicycle Kit $42.95 |
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SB141 Yamaha Racing Bike Motorcycle Display Neon Light Sign $9.99 |
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Colorful Bike Bicycle Car Wheel Tyre Tire Valve Cap LED Neon Lamp Lights $1.99 |
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8* Multicolor Car Bike Bicycle Cycling Tire Wheel Valve Neon Led Flash Light $0.01 |
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2pcs Blue Bike Car Valve Caps Light Tyre Wheel Neon LED Lamp $0.21 |
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2pcs Blue Bike Car Valve Caps Light Tyre Wheel Neon LED Lamp $1.99 |
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2x LED Bike/Motorcycle Wheel Tyre Tire Valve Caps Covers Neon Light Blue New $0.50 |
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LED TIRE LIGHT WHEEL NEON TYRE STEM VALVE CAPS CAR BIKE $7.99 |
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E-JERSEY – Bicycle Bike EL Jersey – Electric Neon Light Jersey (Large) $34.99 |
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ANIMATED 3-Channel Bike EL Wire Neon Rope THICK 5mm Long 3 meters $14.99 |
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New Bike Car Valve Caps Light Tyre Wheel Neon LED Lamp Blue $1.39 |
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New Bike Car Valve Caps Light Tyre Wheel Neon LED Lamp Pink $1.39 |
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LED NEON VALVE CAP CAR BICYCLE MOTORCYCLE TIRE LIGHT UP $7.99 |
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4 Red LED Neon Car Light Bike Wheel Valve Tyre Cap Lamp $0.10 |
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REFLECTIVE FLUORESCENT NEON SAFETY VEST EMERGENCY BIKE@ $2.99 |
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4 x Neon LED Tyre Valve Cap Light Lamps Car Bike Blue $3.83 |
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8 x Bike Car Tyre Wheel Valve Caps LED Light Neon Lamp $5.66 |
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2 x Bike Car Tyre Wheel Valve Caps LED Light Neon Lamp $1.26 |
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1x Bike Car Tyre Wheel Valve Caps LED Light Neon Lamp $0.99 |
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Bicycle Tabletop Neon Sculpture Beer Sign – New $61.99 |
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2 x Blue Bike Car Tyre Valve Caps Light Wheel Neon LED $2.25 |
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2x LED Bike Motorcycle Wheels Tire Tyre Valve Caps Covers Neon Light Blue $0.55 |
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ASICS BICYCLE/RUNNING REFLECTIVE GREEN NEON VEST SIZE MEDIUM $19.99 |
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Bike Car Valve Caps Safety Light Hot Wheels Tyre Wheel Neon LED Lamp Blue $1.10 |
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10pcs Neon LED Tire Valve Caps Light for Motorbike Bicycle Car Cool Decor #04096 $0.99 |
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72 LED ENGINE MOTORCYCLE NEON LIGHT ACCENT BIKE LED KIT COMPLETE 72 COLORS GLOW $42.99 |
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NOS NEW DEPARTURE BALL BEARINGS NEON SIGN WORKS IN CRATE 1949 MUSEUM PIECE RARE $710.00 |
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4 x Blue LED Neon Light Car Wheel Bike Valve Tyre Cap $2.25 |
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LED TIRE LIGHT WHEEL NEON TYRE STEM VALVE CAPS CAR BIKE $7.99 |
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Specialized Classic ROYAL NEON PURPLE Cycling Bike Shoes 44 11 $14.00 |
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LED TIRE LIGHT WHEEL NEON TYRE STEM VALVE CAPS CAR BIKE $7.99 |
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LED TIRE LIGHT WHEEL NEON TYRE STEM VALVE CAPS CAR BIKE TIRE RACING MOTOR $7.99 |
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NEON YELLOW HARO BMX BIKE $275.00 |
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LED NEON VALVE CAP CAR BICYCLE MOTORCYCLE TYRE LIGHT UP $7.99 |
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CAR BIKE BICYCLE TYRE WHEELS SENSOR LED NEON LIGHT BLUE $0.01 |
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West Coast Choppers Motor Cycle Bike Gameroom Neon / LED Poster Bar Sign – New $169.95 |
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Neon Orange Racing cycling jersey Tour de France mountain bike XL $9.90 |
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REFLECTIVE FLUORESCENT NEON SAFETY VEST EMERGENCY BIKE@ $0.99 |
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BERN Helmet MACON NEON GREEN Size SMALL Skateboard/Bike CPSC CERTIFIED $42.95 |
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BERN Helmet MACON NEON GREEN Size MEDIUM Skateboard/Bike CPSC CERTIFIED $42.95 |
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BERN Helmet MACON NEON GREEN Size LARGE Skateboard/Bike CPSC CERTIFIED $42.95 |
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2X Blue Bike Car Valve Caps Light Wheel Neon LED Light $1.96 |
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SB131 Honda Racing Asian Auto Bike Motorcycle Display Neon Light Sign $9.99 |
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Size Medium Bright Neon Pink Black Trim 1/4 Zip SS Cycling Bike Jersey Ladies $19.98 |
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Performance Size XL Bright Neon Yellow 1/2 Zip SS Cycling Bike Jersey $29.99 |
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Vtg Nike Size Small Neon Yellow & Green 1/4 Zip SS Cycling Bike Jersey $29.99 |
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Performance Size Small Bright Neon Green 2/4 Zip SS Cycling Bike Jersey $29.99 |
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Danskin Canari Large Bright Neon Yellow 1/4 Zip Cycling Bike Jersey Ladies $24.99 |
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Fat Tire Beer Neon Sign Bicycle $75.00 |
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2x Bike/Motorcycle Wheel Tyre Tire Valve Caps Covers Neon LED Lights Bulbs White $1.25 |
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4x Bike/Motorcycle Wheel Tyre Tire Valve Caps Covers Neon LED Light Bulb Lamp $1.51 |
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Fixed Gear Mag Wheelset 700c Rims Front Rear Fixie Bike Single Speed Neon Green $329.99 |
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cruiser bike for women(Paul Frank Ladies Neon Julius Beach Cruiser) $150.00 |
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Gore Bike Wear Path Neon Jacket ( LARGE)* $151.63 |
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Scott Contessa Reflex Women Short Finger Bike Gloves Neon Green/Black Size Small $7.99 |
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Columbia Bike Shop Store Bicycle Old Logo Neon Advertising Wall Clock Sign $47.99 |
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s229-b Motor Bike Parts Services Neon Light Sign $19.99 |
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m842-b No Skateboards Bicycle on Sidewalk Neon Sign $19.99 |
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m817-b No Bicycles or skateboards allowed Neon Sign $19.99 |
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m816-b No Bicycles Allowed Neon Light Sign $19.99 |
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Rickshaw and Christ Church, Town Square, Melaka (Malacca), Melaka State, Photo Mugs Rickshaw and Christ Church, Town Square, Melaka (Malacca), Melaka State, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia…. |
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Neon lights at dusk Photo Mugs Neon lights at dusk, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan, Asia…. |
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Neon City $8.99 … |
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Neon City $14.65 Johnny Bertram s sophomore effort, Neon City,shows him stepping away from the predominantacoustic/folk instrumentation of his debut andplugging in the gear for a more rocking affair.Tracks like Out of the Darkness and Mistake show Bertram moving into moodier, more energeticmaterial than the shiny, happy tunes that carriedhis debut. Recorded live in the studio, Neon Cityshowcases the union that Ber… |
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Neon City $8.42 Johnny Bertram s sophomore effort, Neon City,shows him stepping away from the predominantacoustic/folk instrumentation of his debut andplugging in the gear for a more rocking affair.Tracks like Out of the Darkness and Mistake show Bertram moving into moodier, more energeticmaterial than the shiny, happy tunes that carriedhis debut. Recorded live in the studio, Neon Cityshowcases the union that Ber… |
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9ft Blue Neon Glowing Strobing Electroluminescent Wire (El Wire) $2.70 Characteristics of EL Wire 1. Flexible 2. Energy saving 3. Easy to install 4. Cool to the touch 5. Available in many color 6. Available in continuous lengths (ranges several inches to thousands of feet. 7. Powered by either batteries or house outlets 8. Suitable for ornaments and jewelry 9. Can be cut and spliced 10. Enables braiding or looping 11. Water resistant and weather durable… |
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Neon Green Fluorescent Safety Vest w/ Zipper – Medium $3.98 Medium… |
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Boston Industrial Safety Vest with Reflective Strips – Lime Green $2.37 These are standard size lime green safety vests. One size fits all with expandable elastic sides. Reflective silver stripes. Made with breathable material and Velcro closures…. |
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Skull Rider on Bike Hard Protective Case Cover for LG Neon GT365 + Belt Clip Protect and personalize your cell phone with this Shield Protector Case. Shield Protector Case is a set of form fitting snap-on cover that protect your cell phone without adding a lot of bulk. Shield Protector Case has openings for camera, volume/side buttons, charger jack and speakers which allows access to all phone functions. Easy snap-on installation… |
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Bicycle / Cycle / Bike Sports Stereo Speaker Weather Proof Pouch Holder Mount Case for iPhone, LG, Nokia, Sanyo, HTC, Google, T-mobile, Motorola, Samsung, Android, PCD, Huawei, Blackberry, Pantech, Casio, HP, Kyocera and Windows Smartphones $29.99 A weatherproof stereo speaker pouch that can be mounted on the bike lower stem with a quick release system, Also it is great for all occasions – at the beach, on the bike, on a hike, going to school, or on a camp – without the need of your headphones. Compatibility: Cellphone, iPhone, iPod & MP3 Players with standard 3.5mm headphone jack… |
