| Although many of the bike safety tips listed below are | | | | 4 Hydration & Food - surprised to see this listed |
| common sense it is amazing how many cyclists do not | | | | under bike safety, you should not be. Carry plenty of |
| follow them. The list below is in no particular order of | | | | water or sports drinks and snacks such as energy |
| importance: | | | | bars, nuts, and bananas. Dehydration in particular can |
| 1 Lightening and Storms - do you wear brightly colored | | | | impact your ability to cycle and the lack of energy |
| clothing during a storm so drivers can see you? If | | | | leads to making poor decisions. Most cyclists do not |
| there are lightning strikes nearby sitting on bicycle is a | | | | drink enough. |
| risk, the metal frame and skinny bike tires conduct | | | | 5 Safe Bike Practices - signaling when turning or |
| electricity and will not insulate you. Your first option is to | | | | stopping so everyone knows your intention. In a group |
| seek shelter in a building or car and stay away from | | | | travel in single file, not only on busy roads and busy |
| tall objects including trees, telephone poles and hilltops. | | | | bike paths. In Europe when cycling on cobblestones |
| If you are cycling across a large open area make sure | | | | take it slow the first time, they can be tricky if you are |
| you are not the highest point and get shelter in a valley, | | | | not used to the road surface. Enjoy the scenery and |
| ditch or low lying area. Crouch down, but do not lie flat | | | | that means focusing on your cycling and no |
| and if with a group of cyclists spread out, do not | | | | headphones while stopping if you need to use a cell |
| cluster as a group. Take off cycling shoes with metal | | | | phone. |
| cleats. | | | | 6 Bike Tune up - make sure your bicycle has been |
| 2 Bike Equipment - have the proper bike equipment | | | | checked by a professional at the beginning of the |
| including a bell, reflectors and helmet. A helmet, not a | | | | season or before a major bicycle touring trip. Always |
| cap, will help you if you should fall. Replace your bike | | | | carry a spare tube and bike pump. Every year I meet |
| helmet every few years as the materials weaken in | | | | other cyclists in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire |
| the sun. In some regions these pieces of bike | | | | and no spare tube. |
| equipment are required by law. | | | | 7 Your route - choose your bike route carefully to |
| 3 First Aid Kit - at a minimum of one person in every | | | | avoid road with a high volume of traffic using a bicycle |
| cycling group must carry a first aid kit designed for | | | | path where possible. |
| cyclists. In addition you may wish to carry a pain relief | | | | Follow these bike safety tips and have a enjoyable |
| lotion and aspirin. | | | | ride! |