Always Wear a Helmet
It's the golden rule of bike-riding: never ride without a helmet. They can save your life, and in some cities it is a law to wear one. Make sure you have a helmet that fits your head snugly.
Know Where to Bike and When to Look
If you are biking in a street, always stay on the right-hand side of the road. Children should ride on sidewalks. Look both ways and behind you before turning, and obey all traffic signs.
Dress Light at Night
It's best to stay off your bike at nighttime if possible, but if you can't, it's important to make yourself visible to drivers. Wear light and/or reflective coating. Equip your bike with reflective tape and front and rear lights to let cars know you're there.
Keep Your Hands on the Bars
It's not advice you hear much, but keeping your hands on the handlebars keeps you prepared to make a quick change in direction. Just like car drivers, bicyclists have to be defensive drivers, and showing off by pedaling hands-free only opens you up to danger.
Article Written By Jonathan Croswell
Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.
