You can’t control what other people, including vehicle drivers, do on the road. But you can reduce the risk of accidents by adjusting what you can control. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from accidents:
Choose the right size bike. If you haven’t used a bike height chart since you were a kid, you may want to change that. If the bicycle is too big or small for you, this can impact your ability to control the bike. The bike chart should help you find the correct size for your height.
Watch your speed. Going too fast may make it harder to stop if someone pulls out in front of you or another unexpected problem arises.
Use caution when passing a line of parked cars. A startling number of bicycle/car accidents occur because a driver or passenger pops open the door as a bicycle passes by. If you can, give parked cars a wide berth.
Use your bicycle light at all times, even if it isn’t dark. Although it’s especially important to use your headlight at night or on gray or cloudy days, it never hurts to have it on. Remember that failing to yield the right of way was the most common reason vehicle drivers hit bicyclists. In many of these situations, the driver wasn’t trying to cut the bicycle off – they just didn’t see it. The light can make you more visible, and so can bright or reflective gear or discs for your bike, which are also recommended.
Don’t use headphones or earbuds while riding. Listening to music or a podcast can make your ride more enjoyable. But unfortunately, this can also make it less safe. Being able to hear a car coming or other street noises will help reduce your risk of accidents, so wait until you get home to put on those tunes.
Don’t be the “Look Ma, no hands!” joker. Keeping both hands on the handlebars throughout your ride is the best way to get home safely. Removing one or both hands, even temporarily, makes it more difficult to respond quickly if an emergency happens. And on a related note…
Don’t use your phone while riding. It takes one of your hands off the bars and pulls your attention from the path in front of you. Your notifications can wait until you’re off the bike.
Take a class on emergency maneuvers that may help you avoid a collision if one seems imminent. The League of American Bicyclists offers information on these classes.
Always wear your helmet. Sometimes even your best efforts can’t stop an accident, but a helmet may prevent a serious injury to your head and brain. Wearing a bike helmet lowers your risk of head injuries in a bicycle crash by more than 50 percent.