May 23 2008
Cycling Safety & Cyclist Well-Being
Cycling is a lot of fun, but it can be risky, too. Hedge your bets against getting hurt by taking some precautions. Thoughtful outfitting of you and your bike, along with defensive cycling behavior, will help make your rides pleasurable and safe.
So how do we stay safe when bicycling? To begin with, wear a helmet. If you take a spill, crash into a dog that darts under your wheel, or if someone opens a car door in front of you and you can’t come to a stop in time, your skid lid could make the difference between gibbering for the rest of your life and walking away from the accident. Ride defensively, too. In other words, keep an eye open ahead, to the sides, and behind you for hazards. Learn how to “hold your line” when in traffic. And make sure your bike is outfitted for safety — lighting and reflectors, a rearview mirror (or two), a bell, and a sound machine all help keep you safe. There’s more, but that’s where the following articles will help. So, dig on in!
- • Save Your Brain From Pain—Cycling Helmets
- • The Bell Venture XLV: A Lid for Big Heads, at a Not-Very-Large Price
- • Are You Bright? Or Are You Out of Sight
- • An Eye-Catching Idea: The Brain-Bucket Blinkie
- • A Brighter Idea: Marcos Netto’s Helmet-Mounted Taillights
- • Walls Workwear ANSI 2 Mesh Safety Vest: Is Your Life Worth Nine Bucks?
- • Jogalite Cyclist’s Legbands
- • Reflections on Pedals
- • ’Tis the Season to be Wary! Or, How Not to Look Like a Deer
- • The Invisible Man—’Bent on Self-Destruction?
- • Almost Roadkill: Why Hi-Viz Isn’t Enough
- • SAfety First: Situational Awareness and the Solo Traveler
- • Life (and Death) in the Slow Lane
- • Taking the Rear View—It Can Save Your Bacon
- • Look Back! Something Might Be Gaining on You
- • Now Hear This! Uncommon Courtesy Is Just Common Sense
- • Riding on Cold, Rainy Days
- • Dog Tags: ID That’s as Tough as You Are
- • Two Tins and Bag: A Minimalist First-Aid Kit for Cyclists
- • Doc in a Box: Building Your Own Medical Kit
- • The “Yield Safety Triangle”: Reflecting on Life in the Slow Lane
- • The Eyes Have It
- • No Grit, Sherlock! Keeping Crud Out of Your Eyes
- • Crash Course: Striking it Lucky
- • Dog Days: Anatomy of a Bike Crash
- • Prescription for Relief: How I Fought Riding Pain with a Short High Rise Stem
- • Get the Massage: Putting a Bit of Stick About
- • Got Aches and Pains? Get the Massage!
- • 5555? No Way! The Future Is Now
- • One Got Fat: A Short Bicycle Safety Film
- • Cycling is So Peaceful! Er…What’s That You Said?
- • Freedom Isn’t Free: The Economics of Transportational Bicycling
