Before You Hop on Your Bike – Get to Know These Bicycle Safety Tips from Security Specialists!
As the temperature gets warmer and more people start hopping on their bicycles to commute to work or enjoy some fresh air and leisure time, knowing basic bicycle safety is crucial in avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Unfortunately, with the warm weather comes more bike traffic which certainly means more bike versus vehicle accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 932 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2020, an 8.9% increase from 856 in 2019. Bicyclists’ deaths accounted for 2% of all motor-vehicle traffic fatalities. To help you avoid getting into a deadly encounter with your bike, Security Specialist is providing these seven simple bicycle safety tips that can keep you safe and secure while enjoying the pleasure of riding your bicycle:
- Always wear a helmet. Make sure that it fits snugly and securely and does not obstruct your vision.
- Before hopping on your bicycle, make sure you know the basic rules of the road including always riding in the direction of traffic; following traffic signs and lights and always signaling when turning so automobile drives can anticipate your actions.
- If you are riding at night, make sure your bike has reflectors, working head- and taillights, and you are wearing bright fluorescent colors.
- If you’re part of a group, make sure you ride in a single file.
- Avoid riding on high traffic roads, even if they are the most direct routes…. always think bicycle safety first.
- Do not get distracted. Don’t listen to loud music with headphones, talk on the phone, text, or do anything else that can obstruct hearing and/or vision while riding.
- Stay alert and be cautious of uneven or slippery surfaces.
