Whether it’s for health, fitness, environmental reasons, or simply to get from A to B, more and more people each year are taking up cycling. As a cost effective way of staying fit and getting around cycling has many benefits, but before people take to the road, the issue of cycling safety is one that needs to be addressed.
Road safety is crucial and as we head into winter, when more cars are on the road, visibility is reduced due to rain or dark skies, and the roads are slippy. People need to pay particular attention to their surroundings. To help people stay safe on the roads, we’ve pull together six tips to staying safe on the roads this winter:
- Light It Up
Attach lights to your bike or person and wear high visibility clothing to ensure people see you and know you’re there. This is even more important in winter as the sun sets earlier and days are often grey.
- Choose a Smart Path
Plan your trip ahead of time. Make an effort to stick to roads you know well, have a cycle lane, or are simply quieter streets. Knowing your surrounding is a huge help when it come to cycling. Being familiar with a street means there are likely to be fewer surprises in terms of road rules or traffic conditions.
- Get Good Gear
Having good gear also makes a big difference! Oakley EVZero Range and Path sunglasses offer Prizm lens technology that enhances vision in both bright light and shadows, helping you spot changes in the texture of the road surfaces, which is perfect for riding in winter. These styles are also Oakley’s lightest sport performance frame and are hardly notable to the wearer, plus Range boasts an extended range of view in the upper peripheral region which allows you to see more of what is going on around – ensuring fewer blind spots for riders.
- Tune In
Take the headphones out of your ears and tune into the world around you. Being able to hear what’s going on around you means you will be alerted to potential dangers that you can’t see.
- Check Your Bike
Ensure your tyres are well inflated, your gears are all working, and your seat adjustments are tight. Getting your bike serviced regularly will help mitigate any potential technical issues.
And last but not least…
- Wear a Helmet: Always.