Taking Up Biking? Here's What You Need to Know

Looking for a greener way to get from A to Z? Trying to save on gas? Did you resolve to lose weight in 2013? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then perhaps you should consider biking. This mode of transportation not only offers tons of financial and environmental benefits, but it also lets you burn calories at the same time.

With all these advantages, it's no wonder more and more individuals are choosing to become bike riders / cyclists instead of drivers. If you find yourself considering the idea of riding a bike more, check out the advice and resources below. These tips will ensure that you'll be able to make the most out of your biking experience, while staying safe and sound at the same time.

Get yourself familiar with the bike and the road

Before you start riding, double check your route and get familiar with the roads that you're going to take. Remember that there are areas where bikes are not allowed (such as freeways), so plan your trip accordingly. If you're just starting out, it's best to take it slow before hitting the actual road. Start biking in designated areas in the park, or ride around residential areas first, before taking it to the main streets. Give your body the chance to get used to riding a bike before you take a ride on busy roads.

Get into proper gear

The right of clothing and equipment are crucial to staying safe while riding a bike. A helmet is probably the most important safety gear that you can have while biking, so pick a good one. Only buy a helmet that meets the safety standards and regulations of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and be sure to fit it on your head before leaving the store. You want your helmet to fit in snugly on your head and have the right adjustable straps that would keep it from falling off.

Aside from a helmet, you may want to get yourself some gloves and knee pads to protect your hands and knees, as well as sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun and other dust particles on the road.

Give yourself some space

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should ride your bike into tight spaces. When riding your bike, try to keep ample space between yourself, the curb, and other vehicles. Give yourself enough room to dodge and maneuver the road when you need to.

Avoid erratic biking

For your sake, as well as for the benefit of other drivers, it's best to stick to a safe pattern while driving. Try to drive in a straight and predictable line so as to not confuse or distract other people on the road. Also avoid swerving and making sharp turns as this could catch others off guard and cause accidents.

Increase your visibility

Avoid accidents by making sure that you are visible to other drivers and pedestrians. Wear bright clothes whenever you're riding your bike and ensure that other people can see you on the road. Also make sure that your bike is equipped with lights and reflectors to help increase your visibility especially at night.

Resources

Always keep yourself informed with the latest biking news and safety tips. Also check out the resources below for further reading:

Helpful Guidelines for Beginner Bicyclists Some useful guidelines from the Bike to Work organization

Bike to Work - Informational page about bike commuting from the Active Transportation Alliance

Tips and Resources for Safe Cycling - Safety tips from TravelSmart.ca

Winter Biking Tips - Information on how to bike safe during winter from The Hub Bicycle Co-Op

Tips for Commuters - Biking advice for commuters by the League of American Bicyclists

Biking Essentials:Helmets and Safety Gear Information on biking safety gear from DriveLessSaveMore.com

Bicycling and Skating Safety Safety biking and skating tips from SafeKids.org

Bicyclists - NYC.gov - The biking page of New York City's website

Bicycling in Washington - Information about bicycling in Washington state

Resources - Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition - Useful resource page from the LA County Bike Coalition

Riding in the Rain and Night Riding Tips - Rain and night bike riding tips from the Portland Bureau of Transportation

Bike Safety Tips Safety tips for bikers from LouisvilleKey.gov

Cycling Tips and Resources - Cycling page of the British Columbia Institute of Technology

Image credit: epSos.de on Flickr

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