​Tips for safe bicycling

Bicycling is not just fun. Bicycling is also one of the best forms of everyday exercise. You getto where you are going in an environmentally friendly way, and you get fresh air and exercise for free.

A bicycle symbolises freedom and happiness, but even so it is a good idea to think about safety. Here are a few tips for safe bicycling!

Service your bicycle

Most bicycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents. Make sure your bicycle is working as it should. It is also easier and more fun to bicycle with a well-oiled chain, gears that don’t catch and breaks you can rely on.

Use signs and communicate

Road traffic rules, and the signs that bicyclists should use in traffic vary from country to country. Make sure you know what applies where you are bicycling. Showing signs helps other road users, so they can see what you are about to do.

With a good bell, you can alert others to where you are. Show signals in sufficiently good time, so the other bicyclist or pedestrian has time to prepare for being overtaken.

Make eye contact

Many accidents happen at junctions. Try to make eye contact with the driver or rider of oncoming vehicles. Maintain your rights, but be prepared to stop if the oncoming road user does not give you the priority.

Be visible

Remember that you are not as visible in traffic as a car. Your bicycle should of course be equipped with lights and reflectors. Bicycling in the dark without lights is actually rather unpleasant, and on unlit roads it is very difficult to see an oncoming bicyclist without lights. Avoid wearing black clothes, and if you want to be even more visible, a high visibility waistcoat is a great alternative. Reflectors on the bicycle and other clothes that are reflective are also good.

Use protection

Using a helmet is a good way of avoiding serious skull damage. Use good head protection that you feel safe with, and that has good protective features.

Take it easy

There is a lot to think about when bicycling. Pedestrians, cars, trucks, junctions, obstacles on the bicycle path. Adjust your speed and distance. Don’t bicycle too close to th bicyclist in front, and don’t bicycle so fast that you can’t stop in case an obstacle appears suddenly.

And - most important of all - enjoy the ride!