Whether for convenience, recreational, or environmental purposes, bicycle riding is an increasingly popular activity among all age groups. But no matter what situation you are riding your bike in, safety is always something to consider. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are over 150,000 bicycle related injuries every year, and more that 10,000 of these injuries require hospitalization. This means that you should always take the proper precautions to reduce your risk of injury. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NTHSA) offers some helpful hints to help make your ride a safe one.
- Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet
- Check your equipment. Ensure your brakes work and your tires are properly inflated.
- See and be seen. Wear highly visible clothing, use reflectors and or blinking lights. Night riding should be avoided if possible, but if necessary, take the proper precautions.
- Be vigilant of your surroundings and of potential road hazards ahead.
- Obey traffic laws. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings. Young children however, should never ride in the street.
Prepare yourself for safety when you hop onto your bike. A helmet is important, but it is not a substitute for vigilant and defensive bicycling. Check out the NTHSA’s website for some more helpful hints on how you and your family can keep safe while on your bike.
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