Bike Safety Equipment – Biking can be fun but must be done with caution to prevent harm. Below are 10 bike safety equipment you would need.
10 Bike Safety Equipment
- Helmet: the most crucial piece of safety gear for keeping yourself safe while riding a bicycle is a helmet that is properly sized. Anything can happen while biking so the helmet is necessary to protect you from hitting your head on a hard surface.
- Go-Pro Or Dash Cam: Bicyclists on the road run the risk of being struck by drivers who are careless or distracted. Driving recklessly can be fatal. In addition, bicyclists occasionally have to deal with deliberate acts of aggression. If you have a camera on your bike or helmet, you can use it to record important events.
- Headlight, Rear Reflector, or Flashing Light: If motorists are unable to see you, they may run into you. Even during the day, it’s critical to always ride with lights on. It may seem obvious to use lighting when riding at night or in low light, but studies have shown that using lights during the day can cut down on bike accidents by 20%.
- Medical aid Pack: even if you’re not riding quickly, if you tumble off your bike, you are probably going to sustain street rash or a slice. Even small wounds should be cleaned and covered as soon as possible. On your bicycle, keep a basic first aid kit with bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, burn gel, and butterfly closures on hand.
- Mirror: When a cyclist is struck from behind, many accidents occur. You can tell if a driver behind you is paying attention or driving erratically by looking in their rearview mirror. Mirrors might be appended to your handlebars or head protector. There are even sunglasses accessible with a mirror within.
- Tire pump, patch kit, and spare tube: A flat tire is the most common issue for cyclists. Always carry a spare tube in case of major punctures or blowouts if you are riding more than a few miles from home. A fix pack can fix little cuts.
- SIM Cards, Medical Information, and a Cell Phone: No one anticipates being in an accident, so it’s best to be ready. Always carry a cell phone so that you can call for assistance. In any case, cells can break or get lost and if you are oblivious, your telephone will be locked. Because of this, having emergency identification and medical information such as allergies, medications, and previous medical history, is essential. It can not only save your life, but it can also help your ride partners help you if you get hurt and give your loved ones at home peace of mind.
- Reflective Gear: Once more, staying visible is essential to safety. Most accidents occur when a motorist fails to see a cyclist. Bright florescent-colored jerseys or jackets, neon vests with reflectors, reflective stickers and bands, tires with reflective sidewalls, bright-colored helmets, and even reflective socks and shoes are examples of the many pieces of gear that can help you be seen.
- A Horn or Bell: If you can’t be seen, you might be heard. Sounding a bell can prevent collisions caused by unexpected motion entering your riding path when approaching pedestrians, runners, other cyclists, or even a car from behind.
- Sunscreen: When the wind is blowing in our faces, it’s easy to forget that the sun is still harming our skin. Research shows that openness to UV beams from the sun is liable for up to 80% of noticeable maturing signs and is the most serious danger for causing skin malignant growth. Even if it’s not sunny, apply a high-SPF sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before you ride.
READ: 7 Most Common Injury From Motorcycle Accident
If you do not drink enough water before you ride and while you are on the road, you could get serious side effects that could hurt your health as well as your performance. If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink, it’s too late. Your ability to think clearly will suffer if you are dehydrated by even 2% of your body weight. When you ride, always drink a lot of water, and depending on how long you plan to be out there, you might want to add an electrolyte-infused drink mix to your water bottle.
The lock up: Three steps to protect your bike and deter thieves
The most effective defense against bike theft is the perceived difficulty of acquiring your bike. Every lock can be cut, but if you have a row of bikes, you want yours to look the most difficult to get into.
Although a lock may prevent an opportunity crime, the lock-up method is just as important as your choice of security. The perceived difficulty of what it would take to actually acquire your bike is your best defense against bike theft. Every lock can be cut, but if you have a row of bikes, you want yours to look the most difficult to get into.
Step 1: Get a lock – There are a lot of different locks that range in price, size, style, and weight, but these three stand out:
- U-Lock: These locks are small and strong, but they are hard to undo. Although they come in a variety of weights and strengths, the truth is that even the simplest U-Lock will significantly deter thieves.
- Hardened Steel Chain Lock: Galvanized steel chains from hardware stores that are inexpensive and light shouldn’t fool you. Ensure it’s solidified, tempered steel explicitly intended for use with bikes. While not as flexible as a U-Lock, these chain locks can be just as robust.
- Folding Locks: This innovative idea is a cross between the chain lock and the U-Lock. Strong and durable, yet extremely small and portable.
Use cable locks sparingly. These are in some cases less expensive than the locks recorded above, and they are lightweight and reduced, however they are not difficult to cut, even with the littlest of link cutters.
When purchasing a lock, keep in mind that it will probably outlast your bike and avoid spending too little. Locks typically remain with their original owners, whereas bikes change hands.
Step 2: The most crucial step is to lock your bike, more significant than really purchasing the lock. Truly, you wouldn’t believe the number of individuals that don’t do this step. Lock it up even if you’re “just running in for a second.” Lock it up, even in a crowded area where no one would miss a thief.
Step 3: Check to see that the object you locked it to is sturdy. Then, double check to see that you actually locked it to something.
Lock away from a chain-link fence. In a similar vein, avoid locking on to small trees. Indeed, trees have been felled in order to steal bicycles!
Lock through the bike’s frame which is the strongest part. Try not to lock around the fork, and don’t lock through the wheel. Taking the bike without the front wheel is simple.
If at all possible, do not lock your bike outside for too long. It is difficult to transport inside a home, and many apartments are small. But keep your bike out of sight if you want to keep thieves from snooping on it.
READ: Sideswipe Accident; Causes, Injuries & How To Prevent It
If you store your bike in a shared basement. Secure your bicycle. Your roommates might be trustworthy. Your housemates might be trustworthy. However, do you have faith in everyone who attends the house party?
Don’t put anything that can be easily taken off on your bike on it. It is common for lights and clip-on fenders to disappear.
If you forget to bring a lock, but you still want to go in “for just a second,” most shops will let you hold onto the bike at the front.
