Safety should be one of your top priorities in any activity, but especially when you are biking. One of the best ways to stay safe when biking is making sure that you have the proper and fitted safety gear. There are a few pieces of safety bike gear that are essential for you to stay safe while biking.
Bike Helmet
One of the most important pieces of safety gear, you should always wear a helmet while biking. They will prevent concussions, skull fractures, and other head injuries that could prove to be serious. Some bike trails and cities even legally require that you wear a helmet. You can purchase helmets with more coverage, like extended visors, or some with ventilation.
When you are purchasing a helmet, make sure that it fits snugly, but not too tight, and is level on your head. You also should replace your helmet after an accident, as the inside and safety features could be compromised. You can check if the helmet has the appropriate safety features with CPSC or EN1078 certifications.
Cycling Gloves
Since falls can occur easily while you’re biking, you often catch yourself with your hands. Or when you fall down, with your hands on the handlebars, they can get even more hurt. If you have gloves, and padded gloves, which can protect you from blisters, road rash, and even some fractures during falls. The gloves can also improve your grip to help while riding. They can help when you are going on rough descents or be more comfortable on long rides. If you pick gloves with palm padding, you can prevent cyclists’ palsy.
Padded Cycling Shorts or Bibs
Wearing padded cycling shorts or bibs can prevent chafing and take away the pressure on joints that happens on long rides. For shorter rides, you can wear loose shorts as well. If your shorts and bibs are tight, then you can prevent abrasions while riding.
Bike Lights
When you have lights attached to your bike, that increases your visibility, so you can avoid collisions. This is especially important at dawn, dusk, or on cloudy days. They are especially important on trails or roadways with other people and cars. You should have a blinking backlight and a constant front light, so you can be seen from all sides.
Bike Locks
When you are biking in more urban areas, you might pause to get food or take a break. You can use a lightweight or heavy duty lock depending on your area and needs. Make sure you lock your bike to a fixed object.
Repair Kit
It can be easy to get flat tires or have mechanical issues. If you have a repair kit with you, then you can avoid getting stranded. If you practice fixing your bike at home, the fixing will go easier. Also, bringing extra patches will ensure you’ll always are okay, even with multiple flats.
Hydration System
Whether it’s with a hydration pack or water bottle, you should have something to prevent hydration. Dehydration is very dangerous when going on long or strenuous rides.
Cycling Sunglasses
Sunglasses not only protect you from the sun, but also from wind, dust, and debris. This will protect you from getting into an accident from a distraction in your eye. You can get glasses that wrap around your head so they stay on easier with a helmet.
You can do your research on the trails and roads you’re riding on to see what gear specifically would be needed on them. Stay as safe as you can to enjoy your time biking.
Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks Can Help
Bike accidents can leave cyclists with lasting injuries, medical bills, and other trauma. If you’ve been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, call the personal injury experts at Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks right away.
We are located in Northern Utah and have represented clients for over 25 years. We’re experts at what we do, so you can trust us to take care of your personal injury case. Contact us today to set up a free case evaluation to see how our services can help you.
