It is true that cycling is an excellent exercise to keep you healthy and stress-free. However, a cyclist must follow some safety cycling tips to prevent himself\herself from injury and accident.

The Bicycle

You must select a bicycle that suits your height and needs. It is important to get it professionally serviced once a year, apart from regularly checking its tyres, gears, nuts and bolts and lubricating its chains and cables yourself.

Adjust the seat according to your leg length and keep the handlebars about 5 centimeters lower than your seat height.

Safety Rules

You must obey the traffic rules of your country properly. Even if wearing a helmet is not compulsory, do wear one as it reduces the risk of head injury by 60%. Make sure to replace it, if it hits the road or an object.

It is important to be alert to the sound of vehicles around you, so never wear your headphones while riding a bike. Keep an eye on the rear view mirror to watch the movement of the traffic behind you.

Provide adequate hand signals to motorists or pedestrians to indicate where you are going. Remember to keep adequate distance while crossing stationary vehicles to prevent injury if a door suddenly opens or it starts moving.

Use headlights if you have them while traveling at night. Always keep your hands on the brake.

Health Suggestions

Cycling is a fast and an energetic workout which can de-hydrate you quickly. Carry a bottle of water with you while riding. On a hot day take enough rest breaks and drink lots of fluids.

Being exposed to sun rays for long hours can cause skin cancer. You must put on a liberal amount of sunscreen on the exposed parts of your body.

Always warm up with some stretches to prevent injuring your muscles and tendons. Start at a slow pace before increasing your speed. Keep altering your sitting position and the gear from higher to lower to prevent muscle soreness, stiffness and stress on your knee joints.

Clothing

Try to wear bright colored clothing when biking so you are easily noticed by motorists and pedestrians, especially at night and during rains. Wear cycling shorts to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Follow these safety cycling tips religiously to prevent harming yourself and others in your way.