It’s starting to get warmer out here in the Mid-West and that means it is time to get the bicycle out again. This got me thinking about self defense while riding a bicycle and how important it is.
It’s easy to go on about protecting your family home, but we often forget that personal security and self defense can and should extend to all aspects of our lives.
The article and bicycle safety tips for adults video that we have shared below will go a long way in helping you accomplish your goal of bicycle self defense and safety.
Make sure to see some of our bicycle self defense recommendations at the end of this article.
I see more and more people riding bikes along the roadways- adults not just kids- like when I grew up. These are people out for exercise and relaxation. I recently had a good friend die of a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a truck. He suffered for several months after the collision. It was a sad watching this former business executive not being able to speak, visit, enjoy his friends and family – wife, two children and grandchildren.
Then after that, my 68 year old cousin was struck by a car. She suffered multiple broken bones- leg, ankle, shoulder and was comatose for weeks. Luckily, she was air-flighted to a regional hospital and survived- without traumatic brain injury. That was months ago and she still requires assistance for her activities of daily living.
These two events made me wonder how many people die or are seriously injured riding bicycles….
…If you are going to ride the road on your bike, here are some safety considerations.
Wear properly fitted bicycle helmets. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.
In Alabama riders under 16 years of age are required to wear a helmet. The bicycle can be confiscated and the parents fined if there are 3 or 4 violations.
Because bicyclists are considered vehicle operators, you are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
When cycling in the street, ride in the same direction as traffic. When riding with others, bicyclists are to ride no more than 2 abreast on public roads.
For those in the automobiles and other motorized vehicles, share the road with bicyclists.
Be courteous – allow at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists on the road, look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling from a parking space, and yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals.
Be especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or right. Bicyclists can increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, and at dawn and dusk.
To be noticed when riding at night, use a front light and a red reflector or flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing.
Riding with others also increases visibility. — Read More
The above bicycle safety and self defense video gave us some great bicycle safety tips and we will list those below along with some other steps you can take to ensure your personal self defense while riding your bike as well.
Wear properly fitted bicycle helmets. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury- Obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
- Wear fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day and at dawn and dusk
- When riding at night, use a bicycle headlight and a red reflector or flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing.
- Carry a Mace jogging or fitness pepper spray. Most of these models will strap on to your bike for self defense.