If you are new to cycling in the city, there are some safety tips for cycling you need to know in order to stay safe.
Basically, cycling in the city can be intimidating. Our Pedal Safe campaign discovered that 89% of cyclists feel the US is behind in cycling safety, while over 50% feel unsafe or very unsafe when cycling in the general cities in the US.
Also, There is the risk of your bike being stolen, which could cause severe disruption to your routine.
But, mitigating these challenges is more unpretentious than you may think. We have put together these essential 10 safety tips for cycling to help you reduce the risks associated with cycling in the city and feel confident on busy roads.
10 Essential Safety Tips for Cycling in The City
Here’s the safety tips for cycling in the city you can considering before city cycling. Also, there are some things you need to know in order to stay safe.
Below are some safety tips for cycling:
1. Follow The Highway Code
Before you start cycling anywhere in the city, it’s a good idea to brush up on the basics. You need to know the road traffic regulations inside and outside. It contains important traffic rules to follow, such as if you know these rules thoroughly, you are much more likely to avoid accidents.
2. Know about the cycle-to-work scheme
If you commute, it’s worth asking your employer if they have a bike commute program. If not, we recommend signing up with a system provider.
Participating in such programs saves you money on buying new cycling equipment such as bikes and accessories because you don’t have to pay taxes or social security. Additionally, the costs are spread over a longer period of time.
There are various schemes to choose from, like Cyclescheme, Bike2WorkScheme, and Halfords cycle2work.
3. Choose the right bike
There are several of different types of bikes on the market, however, few are better suited to city cycling than others.
Folding bikes are the most convenient way to cycle around town. It folds up so you can take it with you on various public transport.
E-bikes are also a popular option. This is useful for long commutes as it requires less pedaling than a regular bike. It is an environmentally friendly means of transportation because it uses electricity and human power to move forward.
What is more, road bikes are suited for busy city roads because they are agile and thin.
Hybrid bikes, also called city bikes, are also suitable for city cycling. It’s a combination road and mountain bike that combines the best qualities of both and can be ridden on a wide variety of surfaces. With so many options, it’s important to do your research to determine which bike is right for you.
4. Get your bike fitted
One bike size doesn’t fit all when it comes to cycling in the city.
If your bike doesn’t apt appropriately, this can be an uncomfortable journey. Worse, you might end up going to work with a bad saddle sore. To defer discomfort and injury, you should get your bike fitted at a bike shop.
5. Plan your cycling route
Before you leave, do your research and plan ahead.
There are various factors to consider. For instance, are certain areas dangerous when it’s dark? Or do some roads on your route contain quite some potholes? Are the surfaces bad or uneven? You should also make sure there are bike shops on your route in case your bike needs emergency repairs.
There are many apps you can use to plan your route Cyclestreets and Citymapper. The Times recently launched a bike safety map platform for commuters that determines the safest route from point A to point B. For instance, it shows the number of traffic accidents that occurred on different routes.
Cycling an unfamiliar route during rush hour can be daunting, so a test ride on a calm day is recommended. Here’s another helpful tip for cycling around town you can never over-prepare.
6. Lock your bike securely
Needless to say, bikes are constantly being stolen in bustling cities. Between 2015 and 2018, he had a staggering 58,000 bicycles stolen in London.
Proper locking is important when storing your bike outside an office, bar or cafe. This not only deters thieves, but also provides security.
The first thing you need is a good bike lock. The strongest standard rating is gold, but you should buy the right rating for the bike’s value. (Bike insurance companies will not pay for a stolen bike if you use an unapproved locking device). U-locks (also known as D-locks) are the most robust and preferred by many cyclists.
There’re some other things to consider when locking your bike up:
- Lock it to something safe. Your bike is as safe as the one you put it on.
- Secure in well-lit, high-traffic areas, preferably with video surveillance.
- Attach the frame, front wheels, and rear wheels to the attached object.
- uses two different types of locks so that a thief needs two different types of tools to open them. Why not use a U-lock and a chain lock together
- Carry your saddle and bicycle accessories if possible.
7. Have the right clothing and accessories
Clothing
You don’t want to sweat or get soaking wet on your commute. Therefore, clothing suitable for cycling is required. Consider wearing a lightweight jersey or a breathable windbreaker in the summer. In winter it is likely to be dark while cycling so it is advisable to have a waterproof jacket, thermal gloves, and a high-visibility cycling jacket.
Cycling bag
Panniers are essential to protect your work equipment from rain showers and road debris. It also makes it much easier to carry your gear on your bike.
Ortlieb’s Commuter Daypack City is perfect for city commuters. Equipped with ventilation, reflective strips and external pockets. But if you need to carry your suit and office wear on your bike, the Wingman Backpack is a perfect choice. It can be rolled up to keep clothes from wrinkling and can also be used to store other office supplies.
Bike lights
US law stipulates that when riding in the dark the bike must have a white light at the front and a red light at the rear. In winter, this is usually the case on the way to and from work. Bike lights are important so drivers can see you on the road. So you should always check that your lights are working before you go out and carry a spare one as a backup.
We recommend the Cateye Sync Kinetic tail light and the Bontrager Flare RT2 tail light.
Helmet
A helmet protects your head in the event of an accident and is an essential piece of bicycle safety equipment.
Different types of bicycles have different types of helmets, so if you are going to ride in the city, you should choose a helmet for road bikes.
Before you buy a helmet, make sure it meets UK safety standards. The packaging or product description must include the US Standards Institution logo and standard code.
Also, be sure to replace your helmet if it becomes dented. Because the lower the quality of the helmet, the lower the protection for the head. You can’t take risks.
The best helmets are those with MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System). MIPS allows you to easily rotate your head within the helmet, distributing impact forces and providing additional skull protection. Helmets should be breathable, reflective and foldable. This allows you to put it in your bag when you go to work.
Phone mount
It’s nice to have a map and directions right in front of you as you cycle around town. So phone holders are useful gadgets.
When cycling around town, you need a phone holder that is secure, easy to attach and detach, and not too flashy. After all, you don’t need someone strong enough for mountain biking.
8. Cycle safely
Don’t wear earphones
Our hearing warns us of danger, so don’t wear headphones and watch out for cars and pedestrians. If you’re wearing headphones and the driver is honking his horn, you probably won’t hear him.
Stay in the cycle lane
There’s a reason we have bike lanes, they’re much safer for cyclists than the main roads. If you must leave the bike path, make sure you can do so safely and tell others to let them know. If another cyclist wants to pass you in the bike lane, slow down and take evasive action in a timely manner.
Use hand signals
As cycling in a city can be so hectic, it’s even more vital than general to communicate what your next move is going to be. Follow these 3 simple key steps to avoid a collision: look – signal – manoeuvre.
9. Assume drivers aren’t paying attention
City streets are unpredictable. There are often cars, bikes, scooters buses, and pedestrians on every corner. The best way to avoid accidents is to assume that no one is watching.
Do not drive into the blind spot of a car. Don’t get too close to people and expect the door to open whenever the car is parked on the curb.
10. Get specialist cycling insurance from Cycleplan
According to ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), the most dangerous times for cyclists are the 8 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 6 pm commute times. Additionally, 75% of fatal or serious bicycle accidents occur in urban areas.
This statistic shows that despite the best of intentions, accidents are inevitable. So the final tip for cycling in the city is to take out special bike insurance.
Our special bike insurance protects you, your bike, and your bike equipment from damage and theft.
Get your online quote now and stay safe on busy city streets.