When was the last time you ruminated on the safest way to ride a bicycle? If you thought bike safety was just for kids, think again. Whether you choose to pedal or go for a smooth electric ride, it’s important to start off on the right foot with reliable equipment, knowledge of the road rules, and strategies for negotiating traffic of any type.
Here are some strategies for making every ride the safest it can be.
Just the Right Fit
Start your safety check by choosing the right bike. That means, it should be the correct size for your height, be current on maintenance, and easy for you to maneuver.
If you are attaching a basket, a child seat, a kiddie cart, an alley cat, or other extras, make sure you are comfortable riding with these items. We offer all these options with our rentals and perform ongoing maintenance checks on all equipment (including the bikes, of course). What’s more, our experts will fit you with a perfectly sized bicycle and seat height. That means, you’ll feel completely confident rolling around Hilton Head Island with any gear we provide.
Helmet Hair: Don’t Care
OK, this is a big one. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Every bike ride begins with putting on a helmet.” Notice, the directive doesn’t mention “some bike rides” or “long bike rides.” The language is clear – you must wear a helmet any time you sit on that bicycle seat and start moving.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that protective helmet fits perfectly. Check it every time. We can help with that too. We’ll find you just the right helmet size and get it fitted properly for your unique head.
Rules of the Road
Hilton Head Island is especially friendly to bicyclists, and there are many trails and safe places to ride. But you’ll still want to keep defensive riding in mind, as you stay aware of any vehicle traffic around you. It’s your responsibility to look out for pedestrians too!
While intersections might seem like the biggest concern, according to the CDC, sections of roads away from intersections are actually more dangerous because these are areas where drivers tend to increase speed.
There are many actions you can take to increase your safety on the road whether you are biking along a street or on a dedicated bike path. Use lighting just like you would in a car – before dawn, after dusk, and in cloudy or inclement weather. Consider wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing to be more visible and use a bell to audibly alert others of your presence. Keep an eye out for obstacles like branches on the path, other riders, or opening car doors.
Other driving behaviors bicyclists should mimic include not biking under the influence, obeying street signs and signals, avoiding texting or looking at a screen, and maintaining a reasonable distance from other traffic – both the two- and four-wheel kind.
Just remember, safety is smart, helmet head is cool, and you’ll be on a roll.