Q: I have been bicycling for fun and exercise for many years. I think it would be a good thing to talk about bicycle safety in your column because I see too many unsafe behaviors — largely out of ignorance — from people out on the road. — Cassie Regan, Denver
A: When the weather gets nice, and the gas prices go up, more people take to the street on bikes. This is a good thing. Bikes are nonpolluters, the rider gets a good bit of exercise, and parking is a breeze. Staying safe while tons of faster-moving vehicles zoom about in your midst requires constant vigilance and a large dose of good sense.
Here are some tips for staying safe, comfortable and healthy:
1. Wear a helmet. Sixty percent of all cycling deaths in the U.S. are caused by head injuries. Parents, set the example for your children and wear your helmet too! A head hitting the pavement, even at a gliding speed of 8-10 mph, can be deadly.
2. No headphones. When you are plugged in to headphones, you are not able to hear cars, other bicyclists or emergency vehicles.
3. Know the rules of the road. In most communities, the rules that apply to cars also apply to bicycles. This means you obey stop signs and signals, you do not ride on sidewalks or other pedestrian thoroughfares, and you ride with traffic, not against it.
4. Keep your head up. It is easy to allow your attention to drift or become lost in thought while enjoying a nice ride. However, if you are looking down and not ahead, you might miss road hazards, pedestrians, animals or challenging terrain.
5. Be sure your bike is properly fitted to you. Believe it or not, a bicycle that does not fit your particular physique and abilities can be harmful. “While most bikes are technically sound, improper positioning on the bike can result in a disappointing ride or injuries,” says Randy Wittmer, owner of Mobile Cyclery. “An improper-fitting bike means riding with sore hands, feet, and derriere, an inefficient performance and ultimately a bike that ends up gathering dust in the garage.”
Wittmer also recommends shopping around to find an experienced bike professional. “Not all bicycle shops can fit a bike properly, so find one that lists a specialty in custom fits.”
6. Know some maintenance. Most of us have no clue about how to fix a flat tire or even adjust the brakes, check tire pressure or clean the chain and gears. This sort of knowledge can come in very handy if you are enjoying a ride in the country and have a breakdown. Keeping your bike tuned up from the start can help you avoid some problems altogether.
7. Wear identification. It is easy to grab a bottle of water, pop on your helmet and head out for a ride. But if you are in an accident that results in serious injury, the EMS professionals will need to know who you are and your emergency contact information. Even if you are riding with friends, they probably do not know your medical history or emergency phone numbers. Be sure to have this information stashed somewhere on your bicycle at all times. Packing a cellphone is also a good idea.
8. Use headlights and horns. Bicycles can easily slide into a driver’s blind spot. Keeping a headlight on — just like most automobiles do — makes you more visible. Do not depend on reflectors alone — they work only if headlights are shining directly at them. Having a horn to make a little noise is a good idea, as well.
9. Stay hydrated. At the very least, take a bottle of water whenever you go for a ride, even for short distances. Better is a water-delivery system on your back or hips with a shoulder-mounted tube that you can drink from without having to let go of the handlebars.
Linda J. Buch is a certified fitness trainer in Denver; linda@ljbalance.com.
Resources
For road safety tips:
For maintenance and repair: tenance/a/fiveeasytuneups.htm
Mobile Cyclery: Randy Wittmer, 720-747-8854Hydration equipment: or your local bicycle shop
Denver Bicycle Sharing Program:
