5 Bicycle Safety Tips Everyone Should Follow

The summer season is not just for taking road trips, swimming in the pool, sitting on the beach and visiting warmer climates. Thousands upon thousands of people will dust off their bicycles and go for a ride during the summer. The more bicycles there are on the road the more likely it is that an accident with a car or truck can occur. Today, we have five bicycle safety tips everyone should follow the next time they head out for a bike ride in Cinnaminson or anywhere else in New Jersey.

Always Wear a Helmet

It doesn't matter your age or the law, you should always wear a helmet when you go for a bike ride in New Jersey. There are too many people out riding their bikes who do so without putting on a helmet. This is an obvious safety issue that you can control. A helmet might still crack if you are involved in an accident but that might be all the damage done to that area of the body simply because you took the five seconds to put it on before your excursion.

Make Yourself Visible

All bicyclists need to make themselves as visible as possible when they ride and it doesn't matter what time of day it is. This can be done by putting flashing lights on the bike, wearing reflective gear, and riding in designated bike lanes.

Follow All Rules of the Road

Many bicyclists don't realize that they are required to follow all the rules of the road. This means that they must obey all traffic laws and act just like a motor vehicle. If the law states that vehicles are to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, anyone on a bicycle is legally supposed to stop too. Bicycles must also obey stop signs and intersections controlled by traffic lights. You should always ride with the flow of traffic, not against it.

Avoid Distractions

You need to avoid distractions at all costs when riding your bike this summer. Just like people driving a motor vehicle are not allowed to use a mobile phone or other mobile device, you should heed this law too. Operating your bicycle while distracted can lead to a tragic accident. You also should not listen to music using headphones. This prevents you from hearing the horn of a vehicle or the sirens of an emergency vehicle.

Inspect the Bicycle Before Every Ride

It's a good idea to inspect your bicycle prior to every ride, even if you just went for a ride earlier in the day. Make sure the tires are properly inflated, the chain is not loose, the pedals are attached properly and the seat is not broken. Also check the handlebar, the brakes, and the reflectors. You want to make sure all of the equipment on the bike is in good shape before going for a ride so you are as safe as possible.

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