As the weather starts to get nicer, many people decide to ditch the car or the sweaty and cramped bus/train journey to work and get out into the fresh air on their bike. Although there are many benefits of doing this – not to mention those to your health – there are also a number of risks of cycling to work, especially during the busy rush-hour commute.
Along with the increase of cyclists on the roads after last year’s inspirational Olympic games in London which saw so much success on two wheels, there have also been more recorded accidents and injuries to those on bikes than ever before.
However, if you follow some simple rules you shouldn’t be put off by cycling as the benefits far outweigh the dangers.
Be patient
When you start cycling you need to allow yourself time to adjust to being so exposed on the road. Take care to manage your positioning and cycle as straight as possible. Don’t ride too close to the pavement and show you are confident to other motorists. This will stop them riding too close to you and will allow them to get past your more quickly and safely. Also be courteous to others – it’s not worth getting into an argument with someone who has a car as their protection. Just be patient and you’ll get from A to B safely.
Read the Highway Code
The Highway Code doesn’t just apply to those driving cars or lorries or riding motorbikes. It takes into account everyone who is using the road. So if you are going to be cycling with traffic on a regular basis, especially during rush hour when roads are busy, you need to clue yourself up on the various rules, rights of way and restrictions that you will face as a road user.
Wear a helmet
Although many cyclists don’t believe in the protection that helmets offer, they do a vital job and have saved numerous lives and prevented many head injuries becoming far more serious. Multiple Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins is a huge advocate of bicycle helmets and has called for them to be made a legal requirement – who would argue with the opinions of such a legend of the sport?
Maintain your bike
Just as you would with a car, your bicycle needs to be maintained and kept road-worthy at all times. Failure to do so can result in catastrophe, especially when cycling around so many other cars and much larger vehicles than your own. Make sure that you check your tyres every day for punctures, that your brakes are working and that all nuts and bolts are tight and secure to prevent anything becoming loose during your ride.