Tuesday Tip: Important Bike Safety Tips
This will be the longest Tuesday Tips newsletter you’ll get, but maybe the most important.
The Mamma Jamma Ride is about saving lives, and we have to acknowledge that bike safety is an important part of that.
Anyone that’s ever ridden a bike, especially in an urban, town, or even a neighborhood environment for over an hour is likely to encounter a car pulling out in front of them, turning in front of them, running a stop sign, or someone opening a door in front of them. As cyclists, there is an onus on us to respect traffic laws, and be friendly to motorists. But we also have to count on ourselves and each other for our safety. Neither having rights nor being right guarantee our safety. And, we can do everything right, and something can still go wrong. But we shouldn’t, and don’t, have to quit a sport we love – it’s about mitigating those risks.
So, here are things to consider…
Head on a swivel
First and foremost, the best defense is awareness. Even a helmet can only do so much, and you’re better off anticipating and avoiding a situation than needing that helmet. Scan ahead for any potential hazards. Make no assumptions that a car sees you, take nothing for granted. Be ready to react, which includes knowing if traffic or other hazards will make an evasive maneuver dangerous.
Use technology
Some of us already spend a lot on bike stuff. Some of us can’t or don’t want to spend a lot of bike stuff. But consider the value of your safety.
- A good helmet, of course, is non-negotiable.
- There are inexpensive and unobtrusive rearview mirrors available, too, that mount on your bars, or your helmet.
- If you can, look into one of the rear lights that has radar built in, that’ll sound an alert, or even display a visual alert on your bike computer.
- Many bike computers and smartwatches that connect to a phone will detect a fall, and contact emergency services and/or your emergency contact.
DON’T use some technology
- No headphones – they absolutely will not be allowed during the Mamma Jamma Ride. Your ability to hear traffic is key to your awareness.
- Obviously, using your phone while on the bike is just as dumb as doing it while driving.
Be seen and heard
- As important as a helmet are good headlights and taillights, certainly for riding at night, early morning, or dusk, but running a bright headlight or taillight can also increase your visibility.
- Also, you may look cool in your dark kit, but at night, drivers are less likely to see you. Go with lighter colors, and modern reflective materials are even better – they reflect headlights back at the driver, andthat can be more powerful than some bike headlights and taillights.
- If you’re passing another cyclist or a pedestrian, pass on the left, and call out, “on your left,” early enough for them to react. Pay attention – are they wearing headphones? Do you think they heard you? If in doubt, call it out again, louder, and be ready for them to be startled, or even move left, instead of right. A “thank you” as you pass goes a long way to building goodwill towards cyclists, too.
- When passing someone on a narrow path, if you have other riders with you, it’s also nice to say, “three more coming,” to give them a heads-up.
Intersections
- Don’t trust lights or signs – if you have a green light or a walk sign, in places where bikes are allowed to use them, slow as necessary to look both ways, and make sure a car doesn't turn in front of you.
- Make eye contact with drivers at intersections, even give a little thank-you wave.
- If you’re at an intersection, and it’s not your time to go, don’t do that dance with someone that is letting you go. That’s nice of them, but it causes confusion, and may anger other drivers to do something rash. Put a hand up and shake your head. Or, put a foot down, and even look down, until it’s your turn to go, then it’s back to eye contact.
- Be aware of the lanes around you – is someone likely to turn across you? If you’re over to the right, check the car behind you – is its turn signal on? In some situations, at a long light, it’s safer to scoot over, and wave them past.
Look out for each other
- Call out road hazards – “pothole,” “glass,” “gravel,” and point down at the hazard.
- Call out “car back,” or “car up.” Don’t make assumptions about what cyclists will hear, or that the car has plenty of room to pass.
Maintain your bike!
Every component of your bike should be solid. If in doubt, run it by a bike shop for a simple safety check:
- Tires should be in good shape, and properly-inflated
- Things should be properly tightened – seatpost, stem, cranks. Wheels are one of the most common failure points because they’re not properly tightened.
- Your derailleur should be properly-adjusted – throwing a chain can cause problems
- Brakes – make sure everything is connected, and quick releases are down.
- Use the rattle test – before your ride, give your bike a light bounce off the pavement (on the tires, of course), and listen for any rattles.
- Always listen for unusual noises from your bike.
That’s all a lot to consider. This shouldn’t make you fearful – that’s potentially dangerous, too. It’s about being aware, anticipating situations, and being properly prepared and equipped.
It’s also about being more mindful as a driver, paying more attention, anticipating what a cyclist might do. Even opening your car door – at least check your mirrors, and ideally, do the “Dutch Reach” – after checking your mirror, you reach over with your right hand to open the door, slowing the door opening, and forcing you to look back. And we shouldn’t even have to talk about texting or other distractions.
And finally, spread the word, and advocate. Bike lanes and crossings with traffic control lights, well-placed and well-designed, make sense. Driver and bike education programs make sense. Being friendly and following rules breeds goodwill with drivers, which protects all of us.
Be good, be kind, and be safe out there.
Pedaling to Beat Breast Cancer,
Texas Mamma Jamma Ride
PS:
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