Summer Guide to Cycling Safely
With the warmer weather well and truly on its way, there are few more enjoyable, healthy and accessible ways to make the most of the British countryside than hopping on your bike for a cycle. But when doing so it’s important to stay safe and to protect yourself against all eventualities. Before you mount your saddle and head off on your cycling adventure, or even just begin cycling to work, take a look at our essential summer guide to cycling safety.
Cycle safety top tips
Most of us took our ‘cycling proficiency’ test at school (now superseded by Bikeability), but for many this was a long time ago, and the things we learned may well have faded in time. Here’s your reminder to prime you for enjoyable and safe rides:
- Always wear a helmet – While in the event of an accident you may well land on another part of your body other than your head, head injuries are potentially far more serious than broken limbs, and helmets can quite literally save lives.
- Always pay attention to the road and other road users – When cycling, you should be cycling and nothing else. Headphones will prevent you from using your sense of hearing to detect potential hazards, while mobile phones reduce your ability to control the bicycle, as well as being a distraction from what’s going on around you, even in hands-free mode.
- Wear bright clothing – One of the best ways to stay safe is to ensure that you are seen by the traffic around you. This is particularly important on fast-flowing major roads where cars may not be able to spot you until they are very close. Consider wearing a hi-vis vest, particularly at night time.
- Cycle on the left, overtake on the right – If you are cycling through slow moving traffic, such as when approaching traffic lights, always overtake vehicles on the right.
- Never ride on the inside of large vehicles – Many of the cycle deaths that have occurred in London in recent years are a result of cyclists being positioned between the kerb and a large vehicle turning left. Drivers of buses, lorries, and similar vehicles have a restricted field of view, so keep your distance at all times. Remember – if you can’t see their mirrors they can’t see you.
Time to invest in bicycle insurance?
Cycle insurance is of course not compulsory in the same way that vehicle insurance is for motorised road users. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.
There are a number of different aspects of bike insurance that you may want to consider:
- Personal accident cover – Even if you’re careful all the time, the road can be a dangerous place and the risk of injury is very real. Personal accident cover will pay out in the event that you suffer such an injury.
- Public liability insurance – Even non-motorised vehicle users can cause accidents, and there is the possibility that you may be pursued for compensation by other road users or pedestrians. Public liability insurance will cover you in this event, protecting you financially.
- Bike insurance – A good bicycle can be a considerable investment of hundreds or even thousands of pounds. It, therefore, makes sense to insure it against theft and damage in the same way as you would a car.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective yet robust bicycle insurance policy, get in touch with Park Insurance.