When sharing the road with motorists, cyclists need to strive to be as visible as possible through the use of bright, reflective clothing and should keep a heightened awareness of traffic safety rules. The most important piece of protective equipment for cycling is the helmet.
Many states require helmets for riders under a given age.
Required or not, a helmet is essential gear. Here, in countdown style, are 10 of the most important safety factors you should take into consideration before hitting the road. Although it's safest to do your bicycling in daylight, if there's even a chance that you'll be on the road when the sun goes down, it's important that you be visible to motorists. High-visibility clothing will help you do that. The red reflector lets motorists behind you know, even in the dark, that they're approaching a cyclist.