1. Be seen. Neon-colored clothing isn’t just a 1980s fashion statement; it’s proven to be far more visible than any traditional colors. Plus, it’s back in style once again – at least among cyclists. The hottest-selling cycling jerseys and jackets from top brands such as Castelli, Specialized and Pearl Izumi are splashed in fluorescent colors and reflective logos. Socks, shoes, gloves, helmets, handlebar tape and even tool kits are available in super-bright hues.
photo by Ron Kochanowski
The VeloScience cycling team
It is common to see LED taillights in use even during the day. These cycling lights are brighter, more energy efficient, more compact and more lightweight than ever before. Even a tiny headlamp like the 20-gram Specialized Stix Sport projects 70 lumens, enough to light up the road and make you visible to oncoming drivers at all hours of the day. More powerful models shine up to 1,000 lumens, yet still remain light and compact. Most LED lights are also USB rechargeable.
Garmin’s Varia Radar Tail Light senses an approaching vehicle and flashes a series of high-intensity blasts that quickly alert the driver to your presence. Pair up the Varia with Garmin’s new Edge 1000 GPS unit, and you’ll be able to see on your screen exactly where that car is in relation to you.
2. Be alert. As a rule, never assume that a driver sees you. Ride defensively. At intersections, always attempt to make eye contact to affirm that drivers see you. Most drivers are courteous to and tolerant of cyclists, but many are simply distracted. It’s nice to be able to ride side-by-side with a friend, but don’t impede traffic by doing so. Ohio passed a measure that requires drivers to safely pass cyclists with three feet or more of clearance, but a group of cyclists hogging an entire lane and preventing cars from passing will infuriate even the most patient of drivers.
As a rule, never ride with headphones or earbuds. Your hearing is your most valuable sense when it comes to staying safe on open roads. If you must listen to music, there are dozens of smartphone mounts available that will position your phone on your handlebars. For better awareness of vehicles approaching from behind, many cyclists opt for a rear-view mirror. Some prefer a helmet mount, some a handlebar mount. My personal favorite is the light and sleek Sprintech Dropbar mirror, which plugs firmly into the end of your bars and allows you to see motion behind you via a broad convex lens.
3. Maintain your equipment properly. Many cyclists are hazards to themselves, simply because their equipment is neglected. Always take a moment to check your tire pressure before a ride, as control is compromised by riding with too little or too much pressure. An untimely pinch flat on rough roads can cause a pile-up. Make sure your brakes are functional, and replace the brake pads if needed. It’s wise to have a professional tune-up done before each riding season to make sure your bike is working the way it should.
It’s also a good idea to have your bike fit checked. If you’re a serious road cyclist, a thorough fitting will have the added benefits of increased power, greater comfort and less risk of overuse injuries. An added benefit of a proper fit is that you’ll have much greater control. Feeling secure at faster speeds and being able to steer effectively while cornering will only increase your safety. Unfortunately, very few bike buyers have their bikes set up by an experienced fitter. If you’ve never had one, a fit session will have a more dramatic impact on your performance and control than any other upgrade you can make.
4. Wear a helmet. No matter how short or long your ride is, your head is always the same distance from the ground. There are no excuses for leaving the lid at home. Modern helmets are light, well-ventilated and better-fitting than ever. Thirty years ago, you might have looked like a dork wearing one of the clunky hard shells of that era, but today, you’ll only be showing your ignorance if you ride helmetless.
5. Observe the rules of the road. You have the same rights and obligations as the driver of a vehicle. Stop completely at stop signs and traffic lights. Signal your turns. Maintain a safe speed. Keep right except when passing. Expect to get passed if you’re moving slower than the flow of traffic. Maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles, moving or parked. Yield to pedestrians. Use the entire lane if it’s appropriate to hold your position in traffic (especially in a roundabout) or if it is simply unsafe for a vehicle to pass you. Do not pass on the right. All these are things that sane and rational drivers do every day, but sometimes, as cyclists, we forget that being able to ride our bikes on open roads is a privilege. We should do our best to play nicely with others.
Geoff Clark is owner of VeloScience Bike Works in New Albany. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
If you’re riding on New Albany paths…
- Warn runners and walkers when you’re approaching them from behind and preparing to pass.
- Ride single file, since paths are narrow.
- Minimize speed to safely maneuver turns.
- Use caution when riding over the wooden bridges, which can be slippery when covered with spots of ice from morning dew.
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