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!

 
Protecting Your Brain

• Don’t Keep This Under Your Hat: Products That Can Harm Your Helmet
• Save Your Brain From Pain—Cycling Helmets
• Time to ReVisor Your Thinking?
• The Bell Venture XLV: A Lid for Big Heads, at a Not-Very-Large Price
• Is It Time You Got Rid of Your Lid and Replaced It? The BHSI Can Help

 
Protecting Your Body

• Keeping Your Cool in the Heat of the Sun
• The Eyes Have It
• No Grit, Sherlock! Keeping Crud Out of Your Eyes

 
Seeing, Being Seen, and Being Heard

• 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
• Nathan Compression Reflective Sleeves
• Walls Workwear ANSI 2 Mesh Safety Vest: Is Your Life Worth Nine Bucks?
• Jogalite Cyclist’s Legbands
• Reflections on Pedals
• The “Yield Safety Triangle”: Reflecting on Life in the Slow Lane

   

• The Nashbar Compass Bell: Simple and Good

   

• Taking the Rear View—It Can Save Your Bacon
• Look Back! Something Might Be Gaining on You

   

• ’Tis the Season to be Wary! Or, How Not to Look Like a Deer
• The Invisible Man—’Bent on Self-Destruction?

 
Let There Be Light

• A DIY Light Mount for a Front Rack
• Totally Rad! Lighting Up My World With a Radbot 1000
• Let There Be Light! Why Cyclists Shouldn’t Be Shy About Flashing
• Let There Be Light: Tobie DePauw’s Ingenious DIY Headlight Mount
• Let There Be Light: The Lowdown on Alan Barnard’s Custom Fork Mounts
• Let There Be Light: Doug DuBois’ Elegant DIY Light Mount

 
Elemental Forces

• Keeping Your Cool in the Heat of the Sun
• Riding on Cold, Rainy Days
• Winter Bicycling

 
Situational Awareness and Soloing

• Almost Roadkill: Why Hi-Viz Isn’t Enough
• SAfety First: Situational Awareness and the Solo Traveler
• Girl Talk: Can You Solo Safely?

 
When Things Go Wrong

• 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
• Crash Course: Striking it Lucky
• Dog Days: Anatomy of a Bike Crash
• Don’t Let Pepper Spray Call a Halt! to the Day’s Fun

 
Oh, My Aching…!

• 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!

 
Commentary, Observations, and Philosophical Ramblings

• Now Hear This! Uncommon Courtesy Is Just Common Sense
• Life (and Death) in the Slow Lane5555? 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
• In the Midst of Life, or… Are You Feeling Lucky Today?

 

Questions? Comments? Just click here!