Stay Safe on the Street
Everyone has seen a cyclist speed past them with custom water bottles and imprinted water bottles and completely ignore the rules of the road. Everyone understands that it takes a lot of energy to slow down and stop and then to start again when riding a bicycle. But not obeying the rules of the road is certainly going to do more injury than the leg cramp you get from stopping at a red light. Here are some good tips on how to ride in the street or how to ride when there is a lot of traffic.
It doesn’t take much to stay safe and have fun on the streets, but there are some key things to keep in mind. Knowledge of local laws is of the utmost importance. This of course means knowing them and following them. They seem like a hassle, but they have been put into place for you own protection.
First of all, you have to have enough strength to be able to ride the long distances and tricky terrain of the roads. You don’t have to cycle to build strength, but by doing many other forms of exercise. Walking, running, swimming, hiking, and other sports can help prepare you for the long or strenuous bicycle ride. However, it is important to note that these exercises alone will not prepare you for serious cycling. Cycling requires that your muscles learn to move in different ways and requires different muscle sets than other sports or activities. Riding on hard terrain is even harder. You have to watch your nutrition. It takes awhile for your body to adapt, but give it time|Your body will have to adapt slowly to different amounts of energy input and output}. Increase the distance you ride everyday slowly. Try to cycle every day, or as often as possible, so you can build strength slowly.
Handling abilities are also important in traffic. You need to be able to ride in a straight line, as cars will often pass you with only a couple feet to spare, and most drivers will honk if they see a bicycle swerving too much. Tricks can be useful. Those who rode as children have a great advantage over latecomers. Practice tricks to increase stopping and control. If this latter one proves difficult, as it usually does, many riders find a good solution in mirrors, which can be found at most cycling stores and can be fitted to the handlebars or the helmet. To stay safe in traffic, follow these guidelines and stay aware.
