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5 Tips to Avoid Cycling Injuries (Track This Article)

Conserving natural resources has become a global goal. People are making lifestyle changes to go "green," and as such, are taking up cycling as a cleaner, healthier form of transportation. Newer riders are more prone to accidents and injuries, so without further ado, here are some tips to avoid hanging the bike up and going back to driving.

1. Wear the proper gear.

Always wear a helmet when biking, no matter if it is road or mountain biking. This is the first step in being a safe rider. If you are interested in becoming a more serious rider, then it's also important to invest in proper apparel, including bike jerseys and shorts. These are made of fabric that is designed to be breathable and durable under all cycling conditions as well as having padding in all the right places. One exciting new technology is apparel made from Leather with LYCRA®. This revolutionary fabric is designed to provide abrasion protection and yet still maintain the necessary flexibility and compression needed for cycling shorts.

2. Gain experience

Most of us took our bumps and bruises learning to ride when we were kids. If you haven’t been on a bike for a while, take some time to reacquaint yourself by riding in a controlled environment before heading out onto the streets. An empty parking lot works perfectly if there are no parks or bicycle paths nearby. First, adjust the seat to proper ride height and make sure the bike has been given a thorough maintenance inspection. Ride around to become comfortable with the feel and balance of the bike. Do not ride in a busy environment until you feel well-balanced and are comfortable with turning and braking sharply. If you are new to biking, get started by getting on the bike and pushing off with one of your feet. Once you have some momentum try placing the “push” foot on the pedal and continuing to pedal. Do this as many times as you need until you feel comfortable putting a foot on a pedal and pushing off that way and going a short distance. As you do this, put the other foot on the other pedal and push it. Go as far as you can. Repeat this, cycling farther and farther each time, while paying attention to your balance. To help you stay balanced, don't tense up. The looser and more relaxed you are, the easier you'll be able to get the feel of the bike. The best way to learn how to ride a bike is to practice these fundamental steps over and over.

3. Be seen.

You can never be too safe in making sure you are seen by other cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. Wearing brightly colored cycling gear on the bike is a vital component in being seen, especially at night or when the weather is bad. Having lights and/or reflectors on the front and back of your bike will increase your visibility to motorist and pedestrians. Avoiding collisions is a key to avoiding injuries.

4. Maintain bike maintenance.

A bike is no different from a car: both need regular maintenance. Make sure every part of your bike is working properly before going out on it. Brakes are a vital part of the bike. Test out your brakes every time before going out on the road. Tire pressure and condition can also be critical depending on the road conditions. Consider having a professional adjust your bike to fit you properly. This can lead to a significant decrease in injury.

5. Prepared and aware.

Be ready for anything when riding your bike and always maintain awareness of your surrounding environment. The use of headphones greatly reduces your ability to know what is going on around you and they typically should not be worn when commuting on your bicycle. Not being able to hear the traffic sounds increases the risk of city riding dramatically. To avoid bicycle accidents, you need to be aware and prepared for all types of uncertainties on the road. Drivers are not expecting to see you riding up alongside them, so they could cut you off before you realize it. If you do decide to ride up beside a vehicle, make sure there is enough space beside the vehicle to turn alongside the vehicle. This makes it slightly safer. Nevertheless, no matter where you are and what level of rider you are, keep your eyes open at all times.

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