Cycling and safety

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Cycling and safety

In the crowded traffic we as bikers are very vulnerable. So we have to be extra careful so we don't get harmed.
In this blog I'm sharing some of my experiences and some tips that will help you be more safe when riding a bicycle.

Focus and Distraction

When you're on a bicycle and especially when cycling in busy traffic it is essential to pay attention to your surroundings.
By looking far ahead you can predict things that might happen. If you see heavy traffic, playing kids or animals in the distance, be sure to slow down a bit because they might not see you and do unexpected things.
Also be sure you don't get distracted while cycling. Nowadays I see so many people checking their phone while cycling. And this aren't only young people that do that. You both have no attention for the traffic around you as well as you have only one hand on the handle bars.
What I also encounter a lot is people with headphones on. With headphones on you don't hear what's going on around you. You don't hear cars behind you or other cyclist that ring their bell. The combination of using a phone and wearing a headset is the worst. Then you are completely in your own world.

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Image from Pixabay

Motorized traffic

When you're cycling in an urban area there can be a lot of motorized traffic.
Cars, trucks and motors go way faster than bicycles and a collision can result in serious injuries and even death.
When I get into a situation with a car for example on a crossroad or a roundabout I always try to make eye contact with the driver. This way I'm sure the driver has noticed me.
Be extra careful with trucks. It's sometimes very difficult to determine wether a truck driver has noticed you or not. If you have any doubts, assume he or she didn't. It can save your life!
Trucks have so-called 'dead angles'. These are angles in front, next to and behind the truck the truck driver can't see. Avoid being in these 'dead angles' as a cyclist.
The French Government launched a striking campaign "Angles Mort" (Agles Kill). They also made a video which can be a real eye opener. Check it out here:

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Gear

Apart from paying attention you can also improve your safety by having the right gear.
The first and most important thing is a helmet. Here in The Netherlands most people riding bicycles don't wear helmets. Cycling has a long tradition and everyone knows how to ride a bicycle. Bicycle paths are often seperated from other roads and driver of motorized vehicles are used to cyclists.
But even over here we see a change. With the rise of the electric bicycles that have higher speeds we also see an increase of people wearing helmets.
And almost all road bikers I see where helmets too.
I always wear my helmet when I go on my road bike. I always say: "You only have one brain, so you better protect it well". A helmet can be an expensive thing to buy, but it can be a lifesaver, so if you can afford one, buy one.

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Image from Pixabay

When you're cycling in the dark, during sunset or sunrise, but also during dark and rainy days, bike lights are essential.
It makes you a lot more visible for other traffic. Especially in cities it is a no-go to ride without a descent head and tail light.
Be sure the bike lights produce a fair amount of light. The brighter they are the more visible you are.
Apart from bike lights I also wear eye-catching clothes. My cycling kit used to be all black, but over the years I started wearing more vibrant colours. I even have a fluorescent yellow jacket that I wear for commuting. This makes me extra visible for the other traffic.

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Image from Pixabay

I hope these tips are useful for you to improve your safety while cycling. And maybe you even have something to add to it as well.
Do you have any other tips or comments, feel free to reply to this post.
Or you can also visit the Discord channel: https://discord.gg/qa6mdbwdJs

Safe cycling!

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FriendlyMoose

Creating blogs about photography, cycling, gardening, craft beer and more...


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24 comments
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I would also like to add that morning and evening twilight are more dangerous than night. Many do not turn on, for example, the light at this time, they say, is still visible (both drivers and cyclists), but this is misleading.
If you still have dark clothes (or not light enough), you can buy yourself a reflective vest, like the ones worn by road workers or policemen, and wear it over dark clothes. And in general, the more "poisonous" you look on the road, the more you can be seen from afar.

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That's a good addition. A fluorescent vest with reflective parts is also a good option.

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I agree with all the things you mentioned. That means I need to buy a neon-colored jacket to be seen.

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On the road bikers are the most vulnerable which is why safety measures are very important, you have discussed some and I hope every biker pays heed.

Thanks for sharing.

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Cyclists in traffic are probably among the most vulnerable participants. That is why I think it is very important that it is visible. The cyclist must have adequate lighting. Children must always wear helmets, and I would recommend a helmet to anyone who commutes on busy streets or on streets outside the city where there is a lot of traffic. Since I'm a MTB rider, I literally think there's something seriously mentally wrong with mountain bikers who don't wear helmets :) I'm not a supporter of mandatory vests, but I've always worn bright colors in road cycling. In mountain biking, it is irrelevant, of course.

!BEER

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You can get mentally wrong when doing a MTB trail without a helmet 😉

I agree that kids always should wear helmets. They are even less visible.
I also often see kids bikes with a flag on it to make them more visible.

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!PIZZA

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I guess there's nothing else to add, you summed up pretty well. I've crashed really hard in traffic once and had some close calls while working as a food delivery in London. From that experience the most important take is: defensive cycling is key. And defensive cycling involves a lot of factors that I can share in a post soon.

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I didn't know you have lived in London.
That would be even more scary because they ride on rhe other side of the road.
I've never heard of the term defensive cycling before. I can think of some things, but I'm curious what you will blog about it!

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Yeaah, I lived there for 6 months in 2019. It's really weird indeed, even more so when their bicycles have the front brake on the right side and the rear on the left (opposite to what we have here) xDDD

Just wrote a few lines. This whole safety subject is so vast and interesting.

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I totally agree with all the tips you shared. When I first moved here ages ago I started cycling then stopped as the traffic - cars, trams and other cyclist seemed like an aggressive environment. Without helmets in a city seemed scary. I resumed cycling thereafter because I am now more familiar.

The advent of electric bike and cars which are so silent is a new factor that one has to deal with. I think soon every cyclist might need to wear a helmet.

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I don't know if the government can oblige wearing a helmet. I think there it will result in a lot of resistance.

Where are you originally from by the way?

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Yes - I can imagine that the government cannot enforce it. However people might slowly do it voluntarily.
I was born in England but moved around as a child.

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Thank you for your witness vote!
Have a !BEER on me!
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Cyclists are considered by law to be drivers of vehicles and have the same rights on the roads as motorists.
We need to obey traffic rules as well.

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"You only have one brain, so you better protect it well"

True!

I always say: "I rather look stupid than dead." when I am cycling around with a helmet and a yellow jacked on:)

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