Bike Safety From the Experts: A Roundup

Since being introduced in the 19th century, bicycles have steadily grown as a prominent part of humanity's recreation, transportation and fitness lives. Nowadays there are over a billion bikes in the world, which means a lot of risk of injury. To combat this injury risk, biking experts disseminate crucial cycling safety tips. Here are some of our favorites: 

•  Fit your bicycle helmet
  
  If you wear one, that's great, but remember that unless your helmet is properly fitted, you still run the risk of head injury. Download this bicycle fitting PDF from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
  
  
• Inspect your bike before each ride
  
  bicycling.about.com reminds us that before you hit the trail, you should check your tires and wheels, brakes, seat post and handle bar stem, helmet and chain and gears.
  
  
• Hydrate effectively
  
  When it comes to hydrating, be sure to keep up with sweat loss, "replac[ing] about 75 percent of lost sweat during a long ride" (bicycling.com). Get the details on how to hydrate effectively.
  
  
• Have control over your bike
  
  Always have at least one hand on the handlebars.
  
  
• Be visible
  
  During the day, wear bright colors - neon is great! It's not recommended that you ride your bike after dark, but if you do, wear reflective gear.
  

Stay tuned throughout May, National Bike Month, for more tips on cycling safely. 

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