Cyclists certainly don't have an easy life. Busy paved roads aren't the safest places, but road cyclists often have no choice but to face the risks and pitfalls of busy roads. How can you protect yourself and prevent dangers and accidents?
The road belongs to everyone
It's a phrase you've heard countless times, so many that it seems like a cliché. Instead, it's a very important truth. The road is frequented by cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and even pedestrians. Therefore, the first rule is to respect everyone and, of course, pay maximum attention.
Road safety for cyclists has always been a hotly debated topic, as it's not easy to accommodate so many different types of vehicles and so many people, who are often in a hurry. Therefore, it's essential to take the right precautions and always remain fully focused when riding, regardless of the vehicle.
Let's prepare ourselves as best we can
The goal is clear: to protect ourselves, but also others. In short, we certainly can't think only of our own safety, but we must do everything in our power to avoid harming others, who, like us, have the same right to travel on all roads. So, how can we prepare for busy roads ? Here are some useful precautions that everyone can, or rather, should, take to best navigate city streets and other heavily trafficked areas.
- Check that your bike is in good condition . It may seem trivial, but it's not. Before embarking on any ride with your road bike , especially if you'll be riding on busy roads, you need to make sure it's in perfect condition. Would you ever ride a car with broken brakes? Or at night with non-working headlights? Definitely not. So why neglect the health of your bike? It's very risky to ride a vehicle whose performance is unknown, especially in times of emergency.
- Don't use earphones . No music, no phone calls. When you're on your road bike, safety is paramount. Earphones certainly don't improve road safety; they're actually the enemy. Especially when you're riding on busy roads, you need to be fully focused and able to hear all the noises and voices so you can be prepared to respond in the best possible way to unexpected circumstances.
- Helmet and visible clothing . These are among the most common recommendations, yet despite this, many cyclists are still seen without helmets and wearing completely dark clothing. Wearing a helmet is not mandatory, as the law does not require it for cyclists, but it is undoubtedly very wise to always wear one for your safety. Wearing colorful, highly visible clothing can also be a significant help in being easily seen by others, especially by drivers of cars, motorcycles, and trucks, especially when road lighting is poor.
Let's respect the rules and use common sense
After looking at the useful precautions to follow for safe cycling on the road , let's now find out what rules you should follow, whether by law or out of common sense.
- Highway Code Rules . In general, it's best to start by remembering that a bicycle, on the road, is considered a vehicle like any other, and therefore cyclists are subject to all highway code rules . Therefore, to protect your safety, and also to avoid receiving fines, always obey the highway code.
- Not on sidewalks . Pedestrian areas, especially sidewalks, are strictly prohibited for bicycles. Therefore, to avoid causing accidents with pedestrians, do not ride your bike on these areas. You can walk, pushing your racing bike.
- Never without your hands . Riding a bike with your hands off the handlebars is very risky, for you and for others. It takes very little to lose your balance, even if it's not a real danger, just a small distraction. If the bike isn't firmly in your hands, a fraction of a second is all it takes to completely lose control.
- Don't answer your cell phone . It's undoubtedly very useful to have your cell phone with you when you're cycling, but it should be placed in the back pocket of your jersey or in a frame bag, or you can opt for another road bike accessory to store your smartphone. If you receive calls, notifications, or messages, you should absolutely not answer, check, or read them while you're on the move. If you really want to immediately check who's calling you, stop your bike, find a safe spot along the road, and calmly take out your phone to answer calls and messages.
- Front and rear lights . Article 182, paragraph 9-bis states that "vehicle riders who ride outside built-up areas from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and those riding in tunnels, are required to wear a high-visibility reflective vest or braces." Furthermore, Article 68 of the Highway Code requires bicycles to be equipped with white or yellow lights at the front , red lights and red reflectors at the rear , and yellow reflectors on the pedals, with similar devices attached to the sides. If you ride on poorly lit roads and at times when there is little natural light, it is advisable to observe these rules.
- Red light . Stopping at a red light isn't a matter of choice, but rather a requirement for all vehicles, including racing bikes. It's highly recommended to follow this rule, as serious accidents often occur in situations where they could have been easily avoided.
- Don't stray . Caution and common sense are two of the most important factors in protecting your safety when riding your racing bike. Therefore, always stay on the right side of the road, don't stray, and when riding in a group, don't ride side by side, but always in single file.
- Don't cut corners . Always remember that you're training, not racing. The roads aren't closed to traffic, so it's very risky to adopt behaviors similar to those you'd adopt in a race, such as cutting corners. It's important to follow this advice no matter what type of road you're on, whether city or country, wide or narrow. Road safety has no place or measure, but must be sought always and everywhere.
Conclusion
You can never have too many measures to increase cyclist safety on the road . Safeguarding your own safety and that of others, whether you're riding on busy roads or not, should always be your primary concern. Let's focus on what's important and forget about everything else (like your cell phone). Enjoy the ride, but always pay close attention to where you're riding.
