DIY Cycling » Safety

How Can We Make Cycling Safer For Everyone?

Frank — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:15:53 +0000

I very often go cycling by myself, or with a small group. I also bike very frequently pulling my son in a trailer, and this always brings my most safety-conscious self to the forefront. I find myself thinking “what is this car going to do?” “are they going to see us?”

Bicycle Safety

That being said, the trailer actually makes me more visible, and I have had very few bad experiences. I have, however, had a few close calls that made me think twice.

I think that it’s safe to say that many more people would ride if they thought riding a bike was safer. How, then, can we make cycling safer for everyone? How can we do away with the machismo attitude that claims that cars own the road? Here are just a few thoughts:

Our streets would be more bicycle friendly if. . .

Everyone followed a few simple rules and common sense
This could go a long way. Simple traffic rules, safety conventions and common sense actions could help bridge the gap between driver and rider, which could enable them to finally “share the road”.

Everyone paid more attention
Distracted driving is definitely an issue. Some of the closest calls I’ve been in have been because of distracted drivers. Whether they’re on their cell phones, texting, or just flat out not paying attention, distracted driving endangers everyone.

Everyone was more visible
This is along the lines of simple rules and common sense, but it is an important one. Ride with traffic, not against it. Wear visible colors, switch your reflectors out for lights, USE lights (especially when it’s dark or dusky), and stay in the lane. Most bicycle accidents happen to cyclists who started out on the sidewalk. Why? Because people in cars don’t pay attention to the sidewalk. When you make the transfer to the road, or to cross a street, you’re much less visible on the sidewalk than if you were in the road to begin with.

Everyone was more aware
As is often the case, ignorance is a huge part of the problem. People don’t realize that cyclists have their place on the road. Cyclists aren’t aware of correct etiquette (signaling, positioning, etc), and drivers aren’t aware enough to look for the signals. Ignorance is the issue, and education is the solution.

Have you had some close calls? Share them with us in the comments.
Do you have more ideas to help create cycle friendly streets? Share those too.

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(photo by faster panda kill kill)

Riding the Road: What to Bring on Your Ride

Frank — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:35:53 +0000

I mentioned in my previous post Riding the Road: Simple Rules and Common Sense to be prepared on your ride, but didn’t go too far into what being prepared actually entails. If you’re new to the road (or getting back in the saddle), you may ask: “What should I bring with me?” How do you know what’s too much, and what exactly to bring to be prepared for what may happen? The list is actually quite small but full of things that can save you a lot of headaches when you’re 20+ miles away from home (or civilization).

What to Bring: The Bare Essentials

Helmet
Yes, you have to wear a helmet. Although I believe the proponents of going helmet free have a point (More cyclists on the road means fewer accidents. No helmet means less pressure and more cyclists), the safety risks outweigh the benefits. Find a helmet you like and you won’t feel goofy. I personally like Giro helmets, which can be found to fit any budget. They cool well and offer good protection (not to mention, most of them look nice too). Find one you like!
Hydration
Make sure you stay hydrated, because riding home dehydrated not only sucks, but is dangerous. You can use either a Water Bottle (don’t forget the cage) or go for a CamelBak which will also give you room to hold extra gear. In any event, make sure you bring enough for the ride.
Tool Kit
True, it’s hard to do any serious bicycle maintenance on the side of the road, but you should definitely be prepared to fix any minor problems on the fly. Here are a few things that you should carry:
- Multi-Tool - For performing your maintenance
- Seat Bag – To hold your gear
- Tire Levers - For changing flats
- Spare Tubes or a Patch Kit (I prefer tubes, patch the old one at home)
Frame Pump
To air up your tires after you change the tubes.
Cash
Just in case you stop somewhere that doesn’t take cards. Or (God Forbid) to help out with gas money in the event that you need a ride home.

What to Bring: The Extras

Eye Protection
I strongly suggest investing in some sunglasses not only for sun protection, but also to protect your eyes from wind and debris (especially if you wear contacts)
Gloves
Gloves can take a lot of the bite out of road vibration, and help prevent blisters and callouses.
Computer
Cycling computers range from incredibly simple to ultra comprehensive. You can go with a base model like this Cateye CC-RD300W or go all out with something like the Garmin Edge 705 that measures cadence, heart rate, and has a full GPS.

Each rider will ride with something different, depending on their desires, skill level, and ride conditions. What do you ride with? Let us know in the comments!

And don’t forget to check out our post on Road Basics: Riding the Road: Simple Rules and Common Sense.

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Riding the Road: Simple Rules and Common Sense

Frank — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:58:59 +0000

You may have never ridden a bike in the road, or you may have been doing it regularly for some time now. In either case, it is always a good idea know what you need to do to keep yourself and others safe. I see motorists and cyclists every day making simple (but sometimes deadly) mistakes. While you may ride (or drive) safe and smart, it only takes one to give the rest a bad reputation. This bad reputation unfortunately leads to far-too-common motorist aggression, and resentment toward cyclists. Here are a few guidelines to follow to help remedy this:

Safety Guidelines For Cyclists

Stop at Signs and Lights
Yes, you have to stop at traffic lights and wait your turn at stop signs too. The general rule of thumb here is this: pay attention, be considerate, and think! As a vehicle, you are responsible for following all the rules of the road.
Signal
Let other drivers (and hopefully riders) know where you’re going! It is generally accepted to signal with your left arm. To make a left turn, point to the left. To make a right turn, it is in many states acceptable to do the same with your right arm (and often more understandable to less observant drivers), but legal in all states to raise your left hand with your elbow at a right angle. After you’re done signaling, make sure you look to make sure your signal has been seen, especially when turning across another lane of traffic.

Cycling Hand Signals
Stay in the Road (And Off the Sidewalk)
For many, this is counter intuitive. However, you reduce your chances of being in an accident greatly by riding in the street. Why? Visibility. One of the keys to staying safe on the road is to be visible and predictable. Think about it: cyclists move much faster than pedestrians, which means that you can enter a driver’s field of vision faster. This makes it much harder for them to see you if you are on the sidewalk. In the road, you’re right in their face.
Avoid Riding into the Sun
Riding into the sunset or sunrise reduces your visibility greatly, increasing your chances of getting hit.
Use Lights at Night
Reflectors are just not enough! If you are riding at night, use a light for both front AND rear. They’ll be worth every penny. Also wear bright clothing, as anything to help your visibility is a plus.
Be Prepared
Tires can go flat with no notice of all. Be prepared for emergency maintenance. Carry a basic toolkit, spare tires or patches. And know how to use them!

Safety Guidelines For Drivers

Pay Attention and Be Considerate!
I can’t think of much else I can put in this category. Watch what cyclists are doing, and give them enough room. Most states require that you give cyclists at least 3 feet of clearance when passing. Please observe this and make sure not to pass when a cyclist is turning.

By following these rules, paying attention, and maximizing your visibility, you can increase your safety greatly. Remember, a dead cyclist rides no bicycle.

What safety rules do you follow? Let us know in the comments!