There are some effective bike safety rules that should be followed by all riders, no matter what their age or experience level. These will ensure that you stay safe while you are riding and that you bicycle is fit to ride.
The keys to being safe on a bicycle are almost entirely in your hands. The rules of bike safety outline a few simple things that make you a more effective cyclist and that go a long way to ensuring many happy miles on your bicycle.
Before you get on your bike, check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Take a quick look all the way around for places where the rubber might be cracked, gouged or worn.
Squeeze your brake levers to make sure that they apply enough pressure to stop your bicycle and that you do not have any problems with fraying or stretched cables. Next, check to make sure that your handle bar is set at the right height, that the stem is fastened tightly and that your seat is set at the correct height.
You want to be sure that both are secure, as there are fewer things more terrifying than realizing that you cannot control your bike as you go zipping down the street because the handlebars are loose in your hands. The last thing to check is that your chain turns cleanly through your front and rear sprockets and does not rub against the derailleur.
You can do this as you pedal when you first set off. At the same time, quickly run your bike through its range of gears to make sure there are no problems with rough shifting, chain slippage, and that the drive train is free from excessive grime and does not need lubrication.
All told, these checks should take you less than 30 seconds, and really just require a visual inspection of your bicycle's main components. This is smart and easy way to make sure you stay as safe as possible when you're out on your bike.
About half of all cyclist accidents are single rider crashes. If you can skillfully control your bike by starting, stopping, and smoothly turning, you can better avoid falling.
Learn how to control your bicycle when you need to stop or turn quickly. A bike is a legal vehicle in all 50 states; which means you are required to obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
Ride in the direction of traffic, on the right side of the road. Never ride against traffic.
Use the right-most lane going in the direction you are traveling and use correct lanes for turns. Intersections are where most auto/bike crashes occur so be especially alert as you move through them.
Before you get to an intersection, position yourself in the proper lane, and use hand signals whenever possible. When riding with other cyclists, stay alert, and follow good group riding procedures.
Use hand and voice signals. Know when you should take the full lane and when it is okay to share the lane with motor vehicles.
Use your lane position to let other drivers clearly signal your intentions. Many inexperienced cyclists will hug the far right edge of the road in an attempt to not obstruct motor vehicle traffic.
Doing so on a narrow road leaves the cyclist no room to maneuver. Eventually a foolish motorist will try to squeeze by when there is insufficient room, putting the cyclist in grave danger.
In lanes that are too narrow to share with cars, you should ride closer to the center of the lane, instead of trying to squeeze closer to the right. By using smart lane positioning and the first two layers, most accidents can be avoided.
Learn and practice evasive maneuvers such as the quick dodge, quick turn, and quick stop to either dodge obstacles or to avoid motorist's mistakes. In tight traffic, taking evasive action might force you into another vehicle's path.
When it is not safe to dodge or turn, you will need to master skills like riding or hopping over obstacles like potholes, debris, rocks, glass, and trash. You also need to learn to ride through hazardous surface conditions like oil slicks, sand, and gravel; or stopping very quickly without losing control of your bicycle.
When all else fails, helmets and gloves are your last line of protection. Make sure your fits properly and does not wobble or flop around on your head when your chinstrap is buckled.
Even with a great helmet, you might be unconscious if you crash. Carry ID, any important medical info, emergency contacts, your insurance information, and a cell phone.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a fitness trainer. He has been coaching athletes for more then 20 years. He recommends the bestSpinning Bike to achieve your highest biking performance.
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