Grab your water bottle, fetch your helmet, and stretch those hammies. We’re about to go for a bike ride at Avondale Nissan, but before we do, we’re going to take some safety precautions. It’s certainly bicycle season in the Phoenix area, so we’re going to do this right. So put on your spandex, and let’s look at some bicycle riding safety tips.
5 Bicycle Safety Tips
Put your Phone/iPod/mp3 Player Away
It’s tempting, in this modern age of technological wonderment, to be plugged in and logged on at all times. However, when you’re riding on two wheels, it’s a good time to make sure you have your wits about you. Having headphones or Bluetooth devices in makes it more difficult to hear traffic around you, and checking your calls and texts isn’t very smart either.
Avoid Busy Thoroughfares
We often think of the paths of lead resistance when we’re planning a route, but this is where we’ll remind you that there are different types of resistance. On a bike, traffic is a resistance. That’s why it’s often a good idea to select a route where you’re only crossing busy streets (rather than riding on them), passing through residential areas or trails where possible.
Read More: Stay Safe Around Semi Trucks
Signal When Turning
When we were kids, we were taught to signal using coded hand signals that no one remembers at all anymore. So let’s simplify this for the ADD generation; if you’re turning right, point to the right. If you’re turning left, point to the left. Believe us, people will understand what you’re getting at.
Read More: Drive Safely in Road Construction
Use Lights When it’s Dark
This should be a no-brainer, but it does require a little foresight. You will need to stop by a bike shop during daylight hours to buy some front-and-back LED lights, which will run you about $15 apiece. It’s the law in most areas that you have lights (blinking red ones in back), so don’t overlook the obvious.
Be a Hog: Take the Whole Lane
If you must ride on a busy street, think about logistics. Will it be safer for you to try to slide into a little space between the traffic and parked cars, or would you be better off sticking with the flow of traffic and riding right in the lane that cars are in? Staying in a standard lane makes you more visible to other people on the road, and this is inherently safer.
Now that your safety checklist is complete, you can feel free to bike to your heart’s content. We hope you have a safe and healthy biking season, and that you’ll come see us soon at Avondale Nissan!
