Most cycling crashes are preventable. Here’s what actually keeps you safe on the road.
Wear The Helmet
Not negotiable. Even short rides. Even if your hair looks good. The one time you crash is the one time that matters.
Make sure it fits properly. Should sit level, not tilted back. Straps snug under your chin.
Be Seen
Bright colors during the day. Reflective gear and lights at dusk and night. Front and rear lights minimum. The more visible, the safer.
Assume drivers don’t see you until proven otherwise. Because often they don’t.
Signal Your Intentions
Hand signals for turns and stops. Not because drivers always notice, but because predictable behavior keeps everyone safer.
Point where you’re going. It’s clearer than traditional signals that many drivers don’t recognize anyway.
Control Your Space
Ride where drivers expect you. Don’t weave between parked cars and the travel lane. Hold your line.
Take the lane when necessary. Narrow road, debris on the shoulder, whatever. You have the right to be there.
Watch For Doors
Ride outside the “door zone” – about 4 feet from parked cars. Getting doored is one of the most common crashes and one of the most preventable.
Intersections Are Dangerous
Most bike-car crashes happen at intersections. Don’t assume cross traffic sees you. Make eye contact with turning drivers. Be ready to stop even if you have the right of way.
Keep Your Bike Working
Brakes that actually stop you. Tires that hold air. Chain that doesn’t skip. Basic maintenance prevents mechanical failures when you need your bike to work.
Know When To Bail
Bad weather, aggressive drivers, roads that feel wrong – sometimes the smart move is turning around or changing your route. There’s no shame in playing it safe.
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