Cycling on the road gives you almost everything you could ask for. There’s fresh air, exercise, and plenty of beauty to take in. However, it also comes with risks. Unlike drivers, you don’t have steel doors, seatbelts, or airbags protecting you. One careless move from a driver – or one mistake on your part – can put your safety in jeopardy.
Knowing this, let’s explore some important tips to help you stay out of harm’s way when road cycling. (By no means is this list exhaustive, but it’s a good place to begin.)
- Make Yourself Visible
When you’re on a bike, your biggest challenge is being seen. Drivers are used to looking for cars, not cyclists, and you can easily get lost in their blind spots. That’s why visibility is one of your strongest defenses.
The best thing you can do is wear bright, reflective clothing – even during the day. Fluorescent colors stand out against the background of the road, and reflective strips make you much easier to spot in low-light conditions. You should also equip your bike with front and rear lights, and don’t hesitate to use them during the day as well as at night. (A flashing rear light, in particular, grabs attention and alerts drivers that you’re ahead.)
Positioning also matters. Avoid hugging the curb so tightly that you’re invisible to traffic. Ride where you’ll be noticed, especially at intersections and driveways, where drivers often fail to look for cyclists. Drivers are much more likely to give you the space you need when they can actually see you up ahead.
- Follow the Rules of the Road
It can be tempting to treat your bike differently than a car, but when you’re cycling on public roads, traffic laws apply to you, too. Rolling through stop signs, weaving between cars, or riding against traffic puts you at greater risk of being hit.
Obey traffic signals, ride in the same direction as vehicles, and use hand signals to communicate your intentions. Drivers are more predictable when they know what you’re about to do, and signaling a turn or lane change gives them the chance to respond safely.
You should also pay close attention at intersections, where many bike accidents occur. Never assume a driver sees you, even if you have the right of way. Make eye contact if possible, and always be prepared to stop suddenly.
- Anticipate Driver Behavior
One of the best skills you can develop as a road cyclist is learning to anticipate what drivers will do before they do it. Even when you follow every rule, drivers can still make mistakes. They might turn without signaling, open a car door into your lane, or drift too close to you.
“Cyclists are more vulnerable to accidents because they lack the same level of bodily protection that a vehicle provides its passengers, making sharing the road particularly hazardous for cyclists,” Mette Attorneys at Law explains. “Careless drivers can easily cause physical harm when they don’t pay attention or follow too closely behind someone on a bicycle.”
This means you need to be extra cautious by watching for signs that a driver is about to turn, such as slowing down or drifting toward the curb. You can also keep an eye on parked cars for opening doors. (And as a general rule of thumb, never assume a driver will yield – even if they’re supposed to.)
- Keep Your Bike in Good Condition
Your bike is your lifeline on the road, and neglecting maintenance can put you at serious risk. A flat tire, worn brakes, or a broken chain can leave you stranded – or worse, cause you to crash in traffic.
Before every ride, check the basics: tire pressure, brake function, and chain lubrication. You’ll also want to carry a small repair kit with essentials for fixing your bike on the fly and making sure it’s always in proper working order.
- Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions
Your attention is your greatest safety tool. Road cycling demands constant awareness of your surroundings – traffic patterns, road conditions, and even weather changes can affect your safety.
Avoid distractions like headphones or checking your phone while riding. Not only does this limit your ability to hear approaching cars, but it also reduces your reaction time if something unexpected happens. If you want to listen to music, consider using a small bike speaker so your ears remain free to pick up on traffic sounds.
Also, be mindful of road hazards. Potholes, gravel, wet leaves, and uneven pavement can throw you off balance. Scanning the road ahead gives you time to maneuver safely around these obstacles.
Staying Safe on the Road
Being a safe biker ultimately comes down to foreseeing issues and being as proactive as you can possibly be. You can’t always control what drivers do, but you can control your own habits – and those habits make all the difference in keeping you safe on the road. Start implementing these suggestions and you’ll significantly lower your risk, while maximizing your enjoyment on the road.
