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Always Ride With Traffic Helmet Hints Always Hook Your Thumbs Beneath the Handlebars Cornering Safety

Consider a Mirror Don’t Get Doored Watch Out for Oil Slicks When You Don’t Have a Lock

 

1900 ad for the X Rays cycle lamp from Harper’s Magazine more old ads

Always Ride With Traffic The number-one killer of American bicyclists is riding against traffic (riding on the left side of the road). This is a killer because drivers entering roads rarely check to their right when pulling out. They assume it’s clear because they know cars don’t come from that direction. So cyclists riding there have no chance. Why do cyclists make this deadly mistake? Sadly, it’s because parents teach them to. Why? Because they’ve got their safety rules confused. They’re applying the adage to always walk facing traffic (a good rule) to bicycling—a lethal mistake.   BACK   Helmet Hints Wear your helmet every time you ride, but please wear it right, too. The helmet should sit square on your head with the brow low and just above your eyes. Adjust the straps so they hold the helmet in place. If you can’t seem to adjust the helmet correctly, reread the owner’s manual, or ask friends, or visit a shop and ask for expert help. A helmet worn wrong will not protect you in a crash. Keep in mind, too, that helmets wear with age. You should get a new one at least every five years. And any helmet that’s been crashed should be replaced (they’re designed for only one impact).   BACK   Always Hook Your Thumbs Beneath the Handlebars Riding some roads and most trails, you’ll encounter obstacles that can easily knock your hands off the handlebars if you’re not holding the bars correctly. Remember to always have at least one thumb beneath the bars. That way, when you hit one of these nasty bumps, your hand may slip. But, it won’t slip off the bars. And that can be the difference between hanging on and planting your face in the dirt (ouch!).   BACK   Cornering Safety When riding unfamiliar roads always remember that vehicles often kick dirt and debris into the road around corners. Keep an eye peeled for this and corner with care if you’re not sure what’s ahead.   BACK   Consider a Mirror Always looking over your shoulder to check the road? Worried about cars overtaking you and passing dangerously? Consider getting a rear-view mirror. There are tiny ones that attach to your glasses inside the lens that are just about invisible. Yet they give you a great view of the road behind. These mirrors are great because they let you watch traffic. Better, perhaps, they let you know when no one is behind so you can ride right down the middle of the road. Surprisingly, that’s most of the time!   BACK   Don’t Get Doored When riding past parked cars, always carefully watch the side-view mirrors and driver’s-side seat. If you see a driver in there, expect that door to open, and leave yourself an out! Running into a door that someone opened in your path is called getting “doored,” and it can be deadly. Don’t let it happen to you!   BACK   Watch Out for Oil Slicks When it hasn’t rained for a while and it suddenly drizzles, oil on the road rises to the surface, turning a formerly grippy road into a skating rink. Slow down in these conditions. Also, even on dry days, there are often oil deposits on some roads at intersections where cars stop and idle. These are usually toward the middle of the lane. Watch for deposits like this and avoid them at all costs!   BACK   When You Don’t Have a Lock Whenever possible, bring the bike inside with you. If that’s not possible, consider doing your shopping or whatever some other time, because the risk of bike theft is great almost everywhere. If you absitively have to leave the bike while you go inside for a few seconds, do this: Unscrew the adjustment barrel on the front brake until the brake is locking the front wheel tightly. Now, if some jerk tries to rip off your bike, he at least won’t be able to ride it (because it won’t roll at all). With any luck, he’ll think it’s a bad bike and he’ll leave it alone. More on bike locks, locking, bicycle theft and getting stolen bikes back.   BACK