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Five Tips for Bicycle Riding

Bicycling is a great way to get the recommended daily dose of exercise. Now’s the time to join the more than 60 million Americans who’ll get out and ride during National Bike Month (May). Just don’t try and ride 50 miles right away. Take it slowly and you’ll enjoy the ride and still be able to walk again the next day!

Here are some tips to keep you safe!

1. Get Checked Out!
Take your bicycle to a local bicycle shop and get a tune-up. Your bike is a simple and efficient machine, but it needs some TLC - and you don’t want to break down your first time out. Most bike dealers have spring specials to check the essentials; brakes, gears, tires, etc. and squirt oil in all the right places.

2. Equip Yourself
The latest gear is not just to make you look good out on the road. There’s a lot of equipment available to make your ride safer and more comfortable…for example:

A wide variety of helmets are available in different styles and price ranges. Your local bike dealer will help you get the right size and fit.

A sturdy lock is essential if you’re planning on riding your bike and leaving it somewhere for awhile.

Front and rear lights and reflectors are required, and make good sense, if you’re going to be riding at night or dusk.

Padded shorts, gloves and other special clothing make longer rides more comfortable, but probably aren’t necessary for riding to the video store and back.

3. Practice
If you haven’t ridden in a long time, or you’re just getting started, it makes sense to gain confidence on the bike and practice somewhere safe as opposed to on the main road.

Find a quiet street, playground or empty parking lot and get in touch with your bike handling skills. Practice looking behind you, making turns, stopping suddenly, dodging rocks or potholes, changing gears, and even getting on and off. If you are using toe clips or clipless pedals, take a few extra minutes to remind yourself how to get your feet out in a hurry!

4. Rules of the Road
When you’re ready to hit the road or trail, remember a few basic safety rules to avoid the most common mistakes.

Always ride with traffic. Forget what you heard in the past, you are better off riding with the flow of traffic, not against it. You are more predictable and visible to motorists, especially at intersections and driveways.

Don’t ride on the sidewalk. Although you might think it’s safer, motorists are simply not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk. So at every driveway and intersection, you are at greater risk of being hit by a motorist than if you were riding on the road. Pedestrians will thank you for riding on the road as well.

Ride on the trail, paved shoulder, bike lane, or bike route. But, you still need to follow the rules of the road and watch out for your fellow travelers. Ride to the right, signal your turns, obey traffic signs and signals.

Be predictable and visible. Try not to do things that motorists and other travelers may not be expecting. Make sure everyone can see you and knows where you are and where you are going.

Watch for turning traffic. Crash data tells us that getting hit from behind is extremely unlikely. Most car/bike collisions happen at intersections and driveways when motorists or bicyclists are turning. So, at every intersection and driveway, keep a careful eye out for:

Motorists turning right in front of you - you may be going faster than they think;

Motorists turning left across your path - drivers are looking for gaps in traffic and may not be paying attention to anything other than other motor vehicles.

Watch for stuff on the road or trail that might make you fall or swerve - rocks, trash, wet leaves, potholes, gravel, railroad tracks and even wet pavement markings can all send you flying.

5. Have Fun
Bicycling is fun, healthy, safe, convenient, and by riding you are setting a great example to others. So above all have a great time riding. Communities across the United States celebrate National Bike Month with all kinds of events and activities, so find out what’s going on in your community, follow these simple tips, and have a great ride.