Summer is in full swing, and that means spending more time outside enjoying the great urban outdoors. There’s nothing better than getting active outside, breathing in fresh(ish) air, and burning calories at the same time. And the best way to do all of these things is to hop on your bike and go.
Plenty of city-dwellers love to get on their bikes and cycle off all the not-so-healthy summer foods. In fact, simply biking at a speed of 10 mph can burn 260 calories in one hour alone. But, when biking in the city, it is absolutely crucial to follow some basic cycling safety tips not only for your protection, but for pedestrians and drivers as well.
Here are some of the best ways to cycle through the city without compromising your safety or that of others this summer.
Step one: Wear a helmet!
Always, always use protection. Even if you are going for a short ride around the block, your head needs to be protected at all times as you never know what will happen. And make sure your helmet isn’t too tight or too loose; you’ll know if the straps feel comfortably snug on your chin.
Step two: Outfit your bike
While you have your own accessories you have to wear, so does your bike. Each bike should have a bell to warn pedestrians you are near and lights so you can be seen at night. If you plan to do a lot of night riding, then the more lights the better!
Step three: Know your city’s laws
Some cities require cyclists to ride only on the roads, others allow the sidewalks and bike paths. If you have to ride on the street, make sure to ride with the flow of traffic and to learn corresponding hand signals that show when you are turning, stopping, and merging lanes.
Step four: Start slow
You never want to over do it when you start biking in the city as this type of biking is much different than biking in suburban areas. To bypass exhaustion and frustration, do a few spins on the roads near your house to see if your bike fits well with the stones and/or paving. Finally, make sure you have a city-appropriate bike such as a cruiser or a plain one-speed.
Step five: Get a bike that fits
Not only is riding a bike that doesn’t fit uncomfortable, it is harder to manage, which can cause accidents out on the road. If you are new to cycling, consider going to a bike store to get professionally fitted as a way to ensure your bike will ride smoothly.
Simply follow these five steps and you will be on your way to biking blissfully all around town!
No Comment