Bike riding is great for your family’s health, and people of all ages and abilities enjoy the benefits of cycling. Exercising like this strengthens bones and muscles while improving cardiovascular fitness. You can boost your metabolism while reducing body fat. Mental health benefits include reducing stress and cortisol levels while enhancing sleep quality and cognitive functions. For all the benefits of bike riding, however, there is also the potential for danger. Whether you ride alone or enjoy it as a family activity, there are cycling safety tips for all ages you should know and practice.
Start Training Early
Kids can start learning bike riding at a young age. Some start as early as 2, with a balance bike but others aren’t ready until they’re older. Whatever age your young ones are, make sure they learn bicycle safety when they learn how to ride. No child should ride without enough physical strength, coordination, and balance. Kids can start on a balance bike before they move up to conventional bicycles, and training wheels are crucial to learning to ride without having mastered balance first. Never let your kids ride their bikes in the street when they are learning, a driveway or empty parking lot can provide a safe space to master a bicycle. Make sure to have a well-fitting bike helmet for your child and consider pads for their joints. It’s common for children to fall while first learning to ride, but proper safety equipment can minimize their impacts.
Do a Pre-ride Safety Check
After you acquire an appropriately sized bike and gear, get in the habit of doing a pre-ride safety check. This is the time to remind everyone of bicycle safety. Ensure everyone has a helmet on, but also replace those helmets every several years or after they’ve taken a serious hit. Bikes should have front and rear lights so all riders are visible, even in daylight. Proper clothing should be in bright colors for more visibility and should contrast with the surrounding environment. Good gloves help maintain a handlebar grip, and eyewear keeps things out of your eyes.
Respect the Rules of the Road
Cycling safety tips are paramount when you’re on the road. All the protective equipment in the world won’t matter if you don’t interact properly with other cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Always obey the local laws in place, including the direction of traffic, signs, and traffic control devices. Be vigilant for sewer grates, curbs, glass, bottles, and potholes that present bigger challenges to cyclists than passenger vehicles. Use hand signals to communicate your intentions to those around you about what you will do next. Predictability can keep you safe from injury.
If you ride in a group, do so in a single file. This applies to roadways, sidewalks, parks, and paths. Traffic of all kinds should have 3 feet of space to get by you. Make sure everyone riding with you stays off their phone. Earbuds and headphones mean they can’t hear traffic or pay attention to their surroundings. Texting is an accident waiting to happen. Always be mindful of your speed, especially on an e-bike. Higher bike speeds are just like in cars and trucks; you have less reaction time to stop or slow down.
Sadly, cycling injury and deaths are on the rise across the US. In 2023, there were 66 accidents in Modesto, California alone. Riders need to practice caution when riding on roads, near cars and intersections.
Riding Helps Even Later in Life
Cycling is an effective form of exercise for those who can still do it safely in the later stages of life. The benefits cover physical and mental health with this low-impact exercise that’s easier on human joints than other activities. Regular cycling can reduce your risks of illness and disease and help you manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. A good riding routine can also help you stay more alert and happier by boosting your dopamine and serotonin levels. Just make sure you keep any older family members adhering to proper safety. Bike accidents or falls can get more dangerous for those with decreasing bone density.