Summer-Cycling-Safety

Summer is upon us and outdoor leisure activities abound! What is better than a bike ride on a beautiful summer day?

Despite the heat and humidity, we still want to ride for fitness and leisure. Don’t let this stop you, but take some time to read through these summer cycling safety tips that will take you through the hot summer months.

General Advice:
Plan ahead and check for weather advisories. Don’t overdo if it will be extremely hot and/or humid, or if the air quality is projected to be poor.

Use protection! Be sure to wear your helmet.Yes, it can be hot, but bike helmets are cool, light, and necessary! Wear appropriate clothing with SPF and wicking material to keep cool and dry. Wear sunscreen on exposed skin.

Stay hydrated. Bring extra water for a longer ride. If you have a hydration pack, this is a good time to use it.

Observe the rules of the road for extra safety. There will be a variety of levels of riders on the roads, including children, and many beginning riders do not always understand how to ride correctly on streets and bike trails.

Give your bicycle a good once-over, especially if you haven’t ridden your bike in a while. Check the frame, lights, reflectors, tires, seat and repair anything before you venture out.

Keep your mobile phone and flat repair kit handy.

Join riding groups if you do not want to ride alone. Look for groups through Facebook, Meet-ups, and through local leisure organizations. Bicycle shops and retailers often have bulletin boards with groups looking to add new riders.

While Riding On the Streets:

Be seen. Wear bright colors. If you are riding on the streets, the bright sun and glare from car windows can make cyclists difficult to see.

To beat the heat, many cyclists ride in the early morning hours or later in the evening. Riding during these times may expose you to more street traffic. These times of day, when the sun is lower in the sky, you are harder to see, so take extra precautions when riding on streets.

Use designated bike lanes when possible but remain aware of traffic.

On Urban Bike Trails:

There are more commuters. Depending on time of day, there may be more riders on the trails, as the good weather makes it desirable to ride to work.

Watch for our wild, four-legged and feathered friends. Deer, squirrels and water fowl may have young that can dart out suddenly onto the trail. If you are riding in the early mornings and evenings, you are more likely to see animals near the trails.

More people are using the trails for jogging, walking, hiking and walking dogs. Trail-ExerciseMore strollers are out, too, and these can take up space in bike lanes. Proceed with extra caution around pedestrians in these circumstances, and keep your speeds low.

Keep a close eye on loiterers. If someone looks suspicious, ride quickly past them. Sadly, assaults on urban bike trails are more common that one would think. Avoid stopping in remote areas along the trails unless there is an emergency. Even men can be victims of assault.

Bicycling is a wonderful activity, whether riding for leisure, to work, or for fitness. Play is safe and keep on riding! For more information on cycling, here are some general tips you may find helpful.

I am linking this post to Debbie In Shape and Midlife Luv midlifeluvbadgeTip-Tuesday-Link-Party-Debbie-in-Shape-weekly-light-small

Published by Terri Webster Schrandt

Mostly retired, I am a part-time reporter/photographer for a local monthly newspaper. I'm former university adjunct faculty, self-published author, and retired recreation and parks practitioner living in Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle that includes fitness, photography, and fun.

26 thoughts on “15 Summer Cycling Safety Tips”

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  6. These are great tips Terri! Understanding the rules and being prepared is important both for cyclists as well as drivers who may encounter them on the road. Thanks for joining the Link-It To Me link party, I hope you will join us again next week!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Some good tips here Terri – just wish I could ride a bike! Can you believe I’m nearly 58 years old and still can’t ride one. Where I run there are a lot of cyclists who unfortunately think they are in the Tour de France and don’t stop for anyone. thanks for sharing with us at #AnythingGoes

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  9. I’m loving your biking posts, Terri. I may try it again next Sunday since running is out of question for me for now.
    Thank you so much for sharing it on #TipTuesday and congrats for making top 3 again!

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    1. Thank you very much, Debbie! I am honored to be recognized on #TipTuesday. I used to run but pulled my hamstrings then damaged my knee. I can now jog a little but cycling is a GREAT workout! You would enjoy it and get a lot of fitness from it.

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  10. Terri, I grew up in Fair Oaks and raised my girls in Granite Bay. One of the biggest things I miss about the valley in riding the bike trail along the river. Such great memories I’ve had there! Give it a go for me this summer. Thanks for joining us at #MidLifeLuv!
    Kimberly
    http://FiftyJewels.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Melinda! I just won that hat at a raffle and mugged for the photographer 🙂 I’ve only been riding for a few months and I really love it. It’s too hot this time of year unless I go early in the a.m. Glad you liked the post!

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  13. Great tips! I definitely have to get my bike looked over before I go for a distance ride. There’s nothing like the breeze on your face. May all the roads you ride be downhill sloped. Lol thanks for linking to #MidLifeLuv

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  15. Terri! What a great list …super important information, now that summer is here….Here in NY, lots of bike lanes have been put down in recent years and they have the Citibike bike share…therefore, there are a lot more bikers around but I notice some the bike renters don’t wear helmets…perhaps they are tourists just visiting and that’s why they don’t have a helmet?
    I must tell you how here in NYC, sometimes the bikes whiz by so fast that they almost are as dangerous as cars!
    I have a bike but admit not riding too much…when I do, I stick only to the paths in the parks…not the streets (as much as possible!)
    Biking is fun but we need to stay safe! Thanks for posting this!

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    1. How interesting about the bike share program! I’ve heard of the lightning fast cyclists racing around NYC! Some of the cyclists here on our trails are a little crazy though! I ride on one stretch of sidewalk on the way to the trail because of the knucklehead drivers!

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      1. There’s been a bikeshare here for about three years now but it’s got some glitches… They took away street parking to put in bike racks so residents with cars were upset. But it’s in its early stages and hopefully people will use it more and it will all work out! Please be careful too of fast riders: )
        Thanks again: )

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