Why it’s Crucial to Cycle with the Right Equipment

It seems that cycling has become more than just a fun activity, as more and more people in the UK are swapping their cars for two wheels in order to get to work and improve their overall fitness. New government initiatives such as the ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’, which is aimed at keeping us fit and reducing our carbon emissions, have got people out of their driving routine. Not only that, but after recent historical events, such as the Olympic success of the Great Britain cycling team and Bradley Wiggins becoming the first Brit to win Le Tour de France, a record amount of people have taken up cycling as the popular pastime has become fun again.

Unfortunately though, one of the major disadvantages to cycling is that it doesn’t offer the same protection and advantages that most cars do. That’s why it is incredibly important to take precaution and cycle with the right equipment, because if you are not careful you could end up having a serious injury that could affect the way you live forever. 

As a cyclist it’s not uncommon to be the smallest person on the road, as you constantly have to deal with motorists going at speeds much faster than you as they go about their day. The problem becomes more hazardous in miserable weather and dark nights, as the conditions can make it even harder for other drivers to see you – potentially leading to a serious accident and a bicycle accident claim

Some common tips to protect yourself

If you are deciding to take up cycling, make sure you use the correct equipment to prevent any potential cycling injuries that you might pick up. To help prevent this from happening you need to give yourself access to the best possible safety features available:

·         Safety – When purchasing a new bike you need to ensure that what you are buying is a well-built, robust piece of equipment. Make sure you inspect your bike to ensure that the brakes, tyres and other various safety features are working  to the correct standards that you require – you should always test these before you undertake a long distance cycle

·        Maintenance – Many people feel that a bicycle doesn’t require much in the form of maintenance, but this is simply not the case. Just like a car, you have to ensure it is in top condition before using it in order remain safe – that means checking tyre pressures and ensuring break-lines are connected. Each element of your bicycle needs to be inspected and potentially replaced or fixed if a fault is found

·        Equipment – This means wearing a reliable helmet when you are cycling out on the road as well as ensuring your equipment rack is secure on bumpy surfaces. If you are travelling at night then you need to make sure that you are wearing high visibility clothing so that you can easily be seen by other motorists