Start Biking with the name of ALLAH
Did you know that over 46,000 reported bicycle accidents happen every year in the United States?While bicycle riding is a great way to keep fit and stay healthy, it comes with unique risks. Every year, there are more people on the road that are facing an increasing number of distractions.That’s why we’ve created this quick guide of bike safety tips to better understand how to keep you and your family safe while riding your bicycle on the road. Keep reading to learn more information!
MAKE SURE YOU’RE RIDING THE RIGHT SIZE BIKE
The first way that you can make sure that you’re staying safe on the road is to make sure that you are riding the right size bicycle. If you ride a bicycle that is too small or too big, it will limit your ability to handle and control the bike properly.Bicycle sizes are generally based on your height, so if you’re shopping around for a new bike, be sure to check with the manufacturer’s sizing chart. This chart will have a list of the different bike sizes they offer for varying measurements of height.As a general guide, you should be able to stand with your feet flat on the ground, leaving roughly two inches of space between the bike seat and your groin. It may also be beneficial to consult with your salesperson before purchasing a bike to ensure that you have the right size frame for your height.
Complete a motorcycle safety course. No matter your skill level, you can benefit from taking a safety course. These courses teach you how to avoid accidents, how to crash safely, and how to deal with the aftermath. Many countries have motorcycle safety organizations or government agencies that offer safety courses. Do an online search to find one in your area.
For example, the Motorcyclist Safety Foundation offers beginner and advanced courses all over US.
In England, the government offers “Enhanced Riding Schemes,” or courses that are designed to improve a rider’s safety.
DOUBLE CHECK YOUR BRAKES
Before you get on the road, be sure to check and then double-check that your brakes are in good working order. Make sure that the brake pads on your bicycle are rubbing against the disc rotor on the wheels. If you experience any issues, it’s worth taking the time to adjust them before you head out.To check and be sure the brakes are working properly, simply spin the wheels with your hand and press on the brake. You should complete this simple test for both your front and back wheels before you head out on the road.
Watch out for any obstructions in the road. This can include cars, rocks, and other debris. By being watchful, you will give yourself enough time to avoid anything that you see on the road. For example, if you’re riding on a small country road, keep an eye out for any cars parked in your lane. Other dangerous road debris include:
Patches of gravel
Puddles of water
Oil on the road
Large branches on the street
ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET
In the United States, bicycle helmet laws vary by state and by the cyclist’s age. In the state of Tennessee, a bicycle helmet is required for anyone under the age of sixteen. If you’re over the age of sixteen, it is not required that you wear a helmet.However, statistics show that wearing a helmet at any age will help reduce the likelihood of a serious head injury by 50%. In addition, a helmet can help reduce the likelihood of a neck and face injury by 33%.In short, always wearing a helmet while you’re riding your bicycle will greatly reduce your chances of developing a life-changing injury, should you ever be involved in a bicycle accident.In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a bicycle accident, never reuse a helmet once it has been amaged. The fact is, helmets are designed to crack upon impact with the goal of protecting your skull.
Check your mirrors often. Be aware of what’s going on behind you by checking your mirrors. It can be tempting to keep the eye on the road in front of you at all times. However, you can benefit from knowing what’s going on behind you. For example:
If a car is speeding, they may come up behind you quickly and startle you.
A car behind you may turn on their blinker, indicating that they may merge on top of you if you don’t pay attention.
Avoid speeding through tight turns. If you’re going through a turn too quickly, you may end up flying off the road. To prevent this from happening, avoid driving too quickly to correct a bad turn. The faster you’re going, the less time you’ll have to adjust for a sharp turn. Use visual clues such as light posts and telephone polls to help you gauge the severity of a turn.
If you find yourself in this position anyway, don’t slap on your brakes or chop the throttle. Instead, lean into the turn and try to ride it out
KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS
From time to time, many people ride bicycles with only one hand or even no hands on the handlebars. For some, this is because they’re holding something in one hand, like a cup of coffee or a cell phone. For others who might have more confidence in their abilities, riding in this manner simply looks cool.However, riding without both hands on the handlebars brings with it significant risk. There are many hazards on the road such as potholes or unevenness in the pavement, that you might not see until you’re right on it. Rough road surfaces, even with two hands on the handlebars, can make it difficult to maintain full control of your bicycle.Regardless of your circumstances, riding with both hands on the handlebars is always recommended and can greatly reduce the risk of an accident that could cause personal injury.
DON’T RIDE WHILE WEARING HEADPHONES People enjoy wearing headphones or earbuds while biking, as it helps them relax, get energized, or just make the ride go by quicker. However, riding with headphones or earbuds can also be dangerous. When riding a bicycle, particularly when other traffic is present, your senses need to process an awful lot in order to alert your brain to hazards. You need to be aware of other bikes, other cars, car horns, people yelling, even sirens from first-responder vehicles.Even if you’re on quiet roads that aren’t commonly traveled, you need to listen for any vehicles that might be behind you and could potentially threaten your safety.Since you’re already so vulnerable when riding a bicycle on the road, you should strongly consider whether it’s worth the risk to your safety by listening to music while you ride.
Follow any speed limits. It can be tempting to race down the road at top speed. However, if you go too fast, you won’t be as aware of the road. For example, if you’re speeding, you may not have time to swerve and avoid a patch of gravel. Other dangers include:
Not being able to turn properly because you’re going too fast
Running into a car, person, or animal
Hitting a patch of water and hydroplaning
DON’T RIDE TOO FAST
When you’re riding your bike, you should always travel at speeds that you feel comfortable with and that is appropriate for the current weather conditions, traffic conditions, and the road surface on which you’re riding.Traveling at speeds that are excessive for your current conditions will only put yourself and those around you in danger.
Buy motorcycle safety gear. Do an online search to find a specialized motorcycle gear store in your area. When you visit the store, an associate will help you choose gear that fits and that meets safety standards. If you buy your gear used or online, you don’t have a guarantee that it will protect you. Always wear your gear, especially your helmet. Safety gear includes:
A motorcycle helmet
Riding boots
Gloves
Leathers (protective leather clothing)
Body armor
Maintain your motorcycle. Get your motorcycle checked regularly to make sure all the parts are functioning properly. Additionally, if your motorcycle starts to make a strange noise or if you have trouble steering, see a mechanic. If you don’t, you may have an accident. Other regular maintenance includes:
Regularly changing the tires to prevent skidding and sliding
Changing the oil whenever needed
Rotating the tires if they are out of alignment
LEARNING ABOUT THE BEST BIKE SAFETY TIPS
By keeping aware of bike safety tips, you can keep yourself and the people around you safe while you’re on the road. Of course, even if you are taking all appropriate measures to be a responsible rider, that doesn’t mean that others on the road are doing the same. Do your part by being as safe as possible on your bike in order to prevent an accident of possible injury Ingsha’Allah.
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