4ucycling

…you can adopt strategies for general prevention and reduction of conflict in road traffic situations. “Science presents a very useful approach here. It would also be a good way to raise awareness among the general public of the following point. Not every reaction on the part of another road user is necessarily intended in a malicious way,” says Risser. Often, we are unsure how to judge the reactions of our fellow people on the roads. In our uncertainty, we tend to “automatically assume the worst intentions on the part of the other person. This negative tendency presupposes that the other person’s behaviour is wrong, stupid or malicious.” With this type of negative tendency, conflict is then more likely to occur. However, it does not need to be this way. We don’t need to view everything based on this negative tendency. This thought should also be promoted to the public in campaigns. If you make a conscious decision against this negative defensive position, then you are giving yourself...

Whether for short trips or vacations, as a forerunner of emancipation or the theory of relativity: the bicycle has many sides to it. The different roles it can play in people’s lives can be seen in this collection of bike quotations from famous personalities in politics, economy, arts and science. Top 5 Bike Quotations by Famous Personalities Bicycling has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence. Susan B. Anthony American feminist (1820-1906) Life is like a bicycle, you need to keep moving lest you lose balance. Albert Einstein German-born phisicist (1879-1955) What the computer is to me: It’s the most remarkable tool that we’ve ever come up with, and it’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds. Steve Jobs Co-founder of Apple (1955-2011) Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. John F. Kennedy 35. President of the United States (1917-1963) No other inventio...

What is bike polo? Bike polo is a team sport. A team consists of three players on bikes who try to hit the ball into the opposing team’s goal using a mallet. They are not allowed to touch the floor with their feet – if this happens they cannot intervene in the game until they have hit the designated area with their mallet. The game ends either after ten minutes or when a team has scored five goals. Janku: “A few minutes changed my life” “One-handed cycling was completely new to me”, explains Jirka Janku, a Czech bike polo player from Prague, when looking back at his first (bicycle) test rides. “Holding a mallet at the same time seemed impossible. However, after a brief familiarisation period, I found it much easier and the game became more fun by the minute.” Today, Janku is a multiple tournament champion and even reached fifth place at the world championships in New Zealand in February 2016. “A few minutes at the beginning of my bike polo career changed my life dramatically. I bec...

If you want to travel quicker, diminish those parking worries, save money and the environment then hop on your bike and let the efficiency commence. Want to know how, just take a look at the facts…. Rush hour: You are 5-8mph faster than motorised vehicles Commute by bike in the UK’s major cities and you’ll get there in half the time of other road users. In fact, if you drive in Cardiff’s rush hour, you’ll spend over 30 minutes going absolutely nowhere and average just 7mph, compared to averaging around 12-15mph while cycling. You travel around three times as fast as walking For the same amount of energy and that’s with taking into account the ‘fuel’ (food) you put in your ‘engine’ (stomach), you travel three times faster by bike than by walking. Humans on bikes move more efficiently than any other creature on earth In terms of energy efficiency, on bikes humans have even surpassed natural evolution: to move 1kg of body mass 1km, a cyclist on a normal bike uses only 0.136 calories wh...

The bicycle was invented in Mannheim over 200 years ago: the draisine, a velocipede. Since then the bicycle has experienced a revolution, also with regard to social development. It all started with the eruption of a volcano: the climate changed; harvests failed and many horses – which in those days were not only used in farming but also served as a means of transport for people and goods – starved to death. Without these animals life became even more difficult than it already was. Then Karl Freiherr von Drais had an idea: In 1817 he invented the draisine, which was supposed to replace the horse but was so expensive that the majority of the population were unable to afford one. For a long while after the invention of the velocipede nothing much changed. Not until the beginning of the 1860s, when Pierre Michaux began developing bicycles with pedals. Michaux presented his invention in Paris at The International Exposition of 1867. It was an out-and-out success. Only the well-to-do bourgeo...

And then everything’s in motion, at least officially. Sometimes, the order allows for a few more minutes of waiting at home, to go back into my own little world for a little while – only to be brutally ripped out of dozing off by the dispatchers. But then, at the latest, you dive back in: into the maze, the chaos, the wilderness of the (big) city traffic. Your bag on your shoulder, your lock stowed in place, your helmet strapped on, and the post is off – no, I don’t like to be called a postman. The first pick-up brings me right into the city centre. I should take it easy, something else could come my way, and as long as the order hasn’t been placed as ‘urgent’ (called express, VIP, rush or something like that in the professional jargon), there’s no reason to burn out already right at the start of the day. So I swim quietly along in the morning traffic toward the centre, enjoy the first sunbeams and notice how my head switches from tiredness and hangover mode to concentration, focus a...

Catherine, you prefer a bike as your means of transport. Why? A bike is a fast and inexpensive way of getting around. And it does me good to get a bit of exercise after uni, for example. I save on going to the gym and it’s fun. What do you like most about cycling? What I like best about cycling in the city is getting from A to B quickly. There’s no waiting, unlike with public transport. With the bike, I don’t have to worry how many minutes I have to wait for the tram. I just ride off. And when I go cycling at home (I’m actually from the countryside), it’s a great contrast. Especially in summer, when I want to ride to the lake or along the river. And if you had a choice, which city would be your favourite for cycling? Hmm … maybe somewhere in Iceland. I think Iceland’s great. Where I wouldn’t feel safe as a cyclist would be in Los Angeles or Barcelona. LA isn’t for cyclists who want to get to their destination in less than three hours. The promenade along the beach in Santa Monica ...

When the dark first comes it’s a shock. I love cycling, and I especially love riding with my young kids. But it takes an extra adjustment, a mindshift even, when nursery and school runs, and then commutes to and from work, must suddenly be ridden with no light from the sky. I blink into the blackness. It always takes a few days for my eyes to accept to this utterly predictable yet still constantly surprising shift in seasons. At first the streets seem less knowable. The cars louder and more predatory, their lights shining like violence. And my kids who all summer refused to leave the house without their bikes suddenly take coaxing, especially the youngest who conquered his first pedal bike this summer. It would be so easy to stop now. Take the bikes out of their cosy corner of the living room and lock them in the shed for winter. As a child I rarely rode through the dead of winter, lights were rubbish and expensive then and my school days lasted as long as the cycle of the sun. And ...

Go somewhere you’ve never been before. Do you ever crave that sense of adventure? Get out your map (or GPS) and pick out somewhere exciting that’s within cycling distance. The only catch is that it must be somewhere you’ve never been before. You’ll see and experience new things – both during your journey and once you’ Take part in a race. It may be you need more of a challenge to shake things up a little, so why not consider a race? You’ll be able to try out a fun route against like-minded individuals as you race from A to B. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. What is important is that you had fun taking part! Don’t be afraid to go off track. If you’re sticking to the same old routes and roads, that’s probably why you’re finding yourself a little bored with your cycling routine. Don’t be afraid to take a new path, head down an alley, bike over a dusty dirt path or take the long way to your destination. You’ll see new things and learn more about your area, giving you a...

Bicycling is an amazing way to get fit and healthy, but you may find yourself getting tired of the same old routes. That’s understandable – anyone who rides every day will likely have found themselves uninspired at some point! But that’s not an excuse to give up! All you need to do is look for exciting, challenging new ways to make cycling even more fun. By doing so, you’ll not only be more enthusiastic towards riding your bike, but you’ll also be even more motivated to take care of your body by cycling as much as possible! Here are twelve easy, accessible ways to make cycling even more fun. 1. Download a cycling app and track your stats. By downloading a cycling app, you’ll be able to keep track of your speeds, distances and more. Not only will you be able to monitor these and the effects they’re having on your progress, but you’ll also be able to have fun challenging yourself to beat your own scores on your bamboo bicycle! 2. Get your friends involved. Everything is mo...

Level 1 At Level 1 new riders learn to control and master their bikes in a space away from traffic such as a playground or closed car park. Trainees will usually be trained in a group of 3-12, though individual training may also be available in your area. At Level 1 you can: prepare yourself and your bike for cycling get on and off your bike without help start off, pedal and stop with control pedal along, use gears and avoid objects look all around and behind, and control the bike share space with pedestrians and other cyclists Level 2 Level 2 takes place on local streets, giving trainees a real cycling experience. Trainees learn how to deal with traffic on short journeys such as cycling to school or the local shops. Trainees are usually trained in small groups – up to 6 trainees per instructor – though individual training may also be available. At Level 2 you can: prepare for on-road cycling start and finish an on-road journey recognise typical hazards let others kno...

If you want to use a high intensity training model then I would recommend the following guidelines: Aim to do three high intensity training sessions per week, ideally with a rest day between each session. High intensity training sessions are defined as intervals efforts at or above threshold intensity.a Each session should last between 45 and 90 minutes. Each high intensity phase should be rotated in blocks of training in order to manage the workload. Begin with two weeks of high intensity training to one week of low/moderate intensity. This can be progressed to three weeks of high intensity with one or two weeks of low to moderate intensity. I still recommend at least one aerobic low/moderate intensity ride during high intensity weeks. Most people will have four or five training days a week, so stick to three high intensity sessions to avoid over-reaching and use your other training days for low to moderate intensity rides in order to recover, enable your muscles to help adapt t...

Not progressing your training As you get closer and closer to the first events of the season, whether it’s a sportive or road race, then your training needs to adapt. If you carry on doing what you have for the last two months then you won’t be stretching yourself in training. As you approach the season your rides need to become more and more specific. For example, if you are a sportive rider targeting a major European event then you should start to incorporate more sweetspot work into your training order to replicate the effort required on climbs. Doing too much, too soon The principles of training are simple: train hard, recover to allow your body to adapt to that training, and then train hard again. The key is to allow your body to recover in between hard blocks of training and then make the next block slightly harder than the one you have just completed in order to encourage consistent and sustainable progression. Not getting enough recovery Without adequate recovery, your...

“A rider who has good handling skills will be a safer rider,” says Stu Auckland. “If they’re confident and comfortable in handling their bike, in tune with its handling, braking and accelerating characteristics, they can also then put more energy into their riding.” Auckland says a better bike handler often has more time to make decisions when encountering hazards, because less conscious thought is put into reacting to them on the road – everything becomes more instinctive, with fewer knee-jerk reactions made because the rider is experienced and able to deal with a given situation. This takes on extra importance when riding in a group. “You want your actions to be fast and fluid, not jerky and haphazard, especially if riding with others or within a large group” he says. “Last-minute swerving, heavy braking or constant changes in pace because you’re a ‘jerky’ rider will filter throughout the group meaning those behind will be expelling unnecessary energy slowing and speeding up, pl...

What can I do to improve my bike handling skills? So you want to improve your bike handling skills? Here are six tips to make you feel more comfortable and controlled when out on the bike. 1. Practice makes perfect Needless to say, one of the best ways to improve bike handling is to actually get out and ride your bike – the more often you do, the more natural it will become. However, if bike handling is a particular issue for you then having a quiet space to practice troublesome skills on your own is a great way to do improve your skill on the bike. 2. Think ahead The key to being able to react to obstacles and hazards in good time is to think – and look – ahead. It’s so easy to ‘chew your stem’ when working hard at the front of a group or grinding up a climb and miss important and potentially dangerous hazards. 3. Watch others They say one of the best ways to learn is by watching others. Not just anyone, however – you need to watch those who are well-versed in goo...

Take it easy The faster and harder you ride in hot weather, the harder on your body it’s going to be. Obviously such riding can’t be avoided in a race but if you’re out in the country on an all-day ride, keep the pace steady and try to keep your energy expenditure low. Take it slow, don’t charge up all the hills. Regular breaks in the shade (or pub/café if you prefer) are a good tip too. Wear lightweight clothing to help keep cool – and don’t go charging up every hill Wear lightweight clothing Wear technical clothing with high sweat wicking properties and which offer plenty of ventilation; mesh panels (don’t forget to apply sunscreen underneath…) full-length zips and the like, so you can get as much cooling air over your body as possible. A wicking base layer will also help remove sweat and keep you drier. Don’t neglect your feet either; thin socks and well vented shoes will keep your toes from getting clammy. Some brands now offer clothing which is super-light (and sometimes wit...

4. Use your gears and switch them before you get on the hill and have all the tension on the chain and cogs: All that popping and grinding and inability to shift gears under load is normal. You wouldn't shift your manual transmission car without putting the clutch in, so why would you shift a bike without letting up on the pedals a bit? And that goes for shifting in and out of the front chain rings as well as changing cogs on the rear cassette. 3. Keep your head up, and relax your elbows, shoulders, and hands slightly: Keeping your head up too high, with all the tension in your hands, neck, arms, and shoulders, will give you some aches and pains that are unnecessary and put you at risk for erratic handling of the bicycle in adverse conditions. Being loose allows your bike to respond just the right amount to stones, gravel, or wind. Looking where you are going is pretty obvious. After all, you wouldn't walk down the street in NYC looking at the sidewalk just in front of your fe...

In light of this upcoming long-weekend ride, I present my top 11 tips for improving your cycling technique: Pedal with flat feet: Some people think of keeping their heels down, and some point their toes towards the sky. A couple of analogies we use are to picture the linkage on an old steam engine and visualize your foot as the linkage come up and staying flat throughout the revolution of the wheels. The other is to picture an equestrian rider, riding a horse with heels down, while toes are in the stirrups. Toes down is a no, no in my book, and you'll see why in the next two tips, as they all go together. Get on the pedals early: This means you start pushing forward on the pedals before they reach the top of the arc or 12 o'clock. With your feet flat to slightly toed up/heeled down you'll be able to increase your power band from two to three hours if you look at the face of a clock. With left foot, start pushing at 10 o'clock instead of one o'clock. With toes down...

A shop tune-up costs $40 to $60. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, here are five quick safety tests recommended by Calvin Jones, a bike mechanic for more than 30 years and author of The Big Blue Book of Bike Repair (Park Tool Co.). Grab Each Wheel. Pull back and forth to test whether they're loose in the frame. Spin the wheels to check that they're not touching brake pads. Ensure a Secure Seat. Hold the frame with one hand and the saddle with the other, then try to twist the saddle. Tighten, if needed. Look for Rust. A little surface rust is okay, but if the frame has rusted through or if the chain has rusted so much that it's stiff, it may be unsafe. While you're eyeballing the chain, lubricate it with one drop of bicycle-specific chain lube per roller. Check for Tire Cracks. If the tire sidewalls look like fishnet, they're too old and worn to be ridden. Dig Your Thumbnail into the Brake Pads. If the pads are too hard to allow you to press your thumbnail int...

As Ann Barnes casually pedals next to her 7-year-old daughter, Jacquelyn, on the bike trail at White Rock Lake Park in Dallas, birds float above the lake, buoyed on a steady breeze, much like Ann's mood every time she rides. After being off the bike for years, she rediscovered cycling as a way to spend time with her daughter and start exercising again. Their 20-minute rides, which often include a picnic or playground break, rejuvenate the 48-year-old computer software analyst. "Getting out, being active, and breathing the fresh air makes us both feel happy," Ann says. "Riding again has given rise to my spirits, so I'm also working out at the gym at lunch. The bike's more fun, though." Like Ann, you probably have a bike stowed in your garage or basement. Brush off the cobwebs, start riding regularly, and you'll feel an energy boost and shed some pounds. Even if you haven't broken a sweat in years, cycling is an excellent way to ease back into ...

There are many, many good reasons for bicycle commuting, recreational bicycling and creating a strong bike culture in general.  Hopefully a couple with resonate with everyone and motivate more bicycling. On-going use of a bicycle has virtually NO carbon footprint. You will be a leader in your community. Bicycles increase mobility for those who don't have access to motor transport. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't qualify to drive a car. Bicycles increase mobility for those who can't afford motor transport. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't want to drive motor vehicles. Bicycles increase mobility for some people with arthritis, back problems and other mobility issues. Bicycling can be faster than walking, transit or motor vehicles. Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever invented. You get healthy exercise from bicycling . Bicycling also can help you meet different people with the same hobby as you.

It may not surprise you to see another study suggesting that cycling to work can drastically reduce your chances of getting cancer and heart disease – those who ride bikes for transport already know how good it makes them feel. However, it’s perhaps yet another motivation for those who don’t, to dust off their bikes – and remember some other reasons cycling to work is so great.  In a five-year study of 263,450 UK commuters, published in the BMJ, researchers at Glasgow University found regular cycling cut the risk of death from any cause by 41%, and the incidence of cancer and heart disease by 45% and 46% respectively. The cyclists in the study were riding an average of 30 miles per week; that’s three miles each way, five days per week. Cycling at a leisurely 10mph, that would take about 20 minutes each way – a manageable distance for most people. At present only 3% of the UK population commute by bike, while 36% use a car. If we increased cycling in this country to German levels...

The Best Mountain Bikes of 2017 If you’re in the market for a new — or another — mountain bike, we’ve got you covered. From high-end, full-suspension bikes built for racing to the latest affordable 650b Plus rigs, these bikes are the some of the best around. ENTRY LEVEL ($1,500 AND UNDER) 1. NORCO FLUID 2 HT $1,299 Somewhere between a fat bike and a more traditional mountain bike, 650b Plus bikes are perfect for beginners. They’ll roll over just about anything, handle well and are faster than you might think. While it won’t break any speed records, the Fluid 2 HT from Norco is plenty capable of riding just about any trail — from loose technical climbs to rocky descents. The one-by drivetrain also makes shifting simple and regular maintenance as easy as it’s going to get. 2. SURLY KARATE MONKEY 27.5+ $1,399 Known for its affordable and well-built bikes, Surly has a small but loyal following. The solid steel-frame Karate Monkey is a bike that’s been around for a while, and w...

  3. MUNICH Germany is a country known for cars and fast driving (hello, Autobahn), but it has plenty of awesome cycling, too. In Germany, Munich leads the way, with over 750 miles of bike lanes. There are also nearly 350 one-way streets that are bike-only, and the city has restricted all other streets to a 19 mph speed limit to improve overall safety. Daily trips made by bike usually average a shade under 18%, ranking as one of the top for a major city in the entire world. 2. AMSTERDAM With more than 800,000 bikes and an unbeatable network of bike-only routes, there’s a reason why nearly 40% of all trips in Amsterdam are made by bike. Whether it’s children going to school or adults making a quick run to the grocery store, the bike is the primary method of transportation. For a relatively small city, there are 248 miles of bike paths — but even the streets that don’t have dedicated bike lanes are likely to have just as many bikes on them as cars. 1. COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Ease of...

In the followings are 10 telltale signs that you’re officially a cyclist (congratulations) 1. You can’t recognize your biking friends when they aren’t wearing Lycra. And you haven’t known whether to be flattered or offended when one of them has seen you in your street clothes and said something like, “Wow! You look really good!” 2. There’s never room on the top shelf of the dishwasher for anything other than water bottles — and no matter how many times you’ve scrubbed them, they still look dirty. 3. You’ve tried every energy bar, gel and powdered electrolyte mix on the market and have homed in on the exact right combo to keep you from bonking on long rides. 4. The “check engine” light in your car has been on for months, but the most minor mechanical issue on your bike is resolved immediately… 5. …that might be because your new bike is worth more than your car. 6. And that bike has a nickname. 7. You have at least one Facebook profile shot of you posing on or next to your ...

If you don't want to cut out solo riding entirely, joining a cycling club is good way to improve your skills on the bike and take your fitness to the next level. Use this guide to find out how joining a cycling club benefits you as a cyclist and where to find a like-minded cycling group near you. 1. LEARN BETTER BIKE-HANDLING Whether you’re interested in racing or not, improving your bike-handling makes you a safer cyclist on the road. By joining a cycling group and getting involved in weekend club rides, you’ll learn useful skills you might not be exposed to riding solo. Drafting, bike control, hand signals and pacing are just a few of the basics you’ll grow accustomed to when you practice riding in close proximity to others. READ MORE > 10 CYCLING HAND SIGNALS YOU NEED TO KNOW 2. DEVELOP CAMARADERIE If you ride lots of miles alone, motivation can become an issue. Joining a cycling club with other like-minded cyclists helps you mix up your training regimen and have m...

If you’ve already decided to join a cycling club, you’ll need to find the right club to fit your individual needs. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when choosing a cycling club: Goals: Some clubs steer more toward racing, while others focus more on touring the area at a slower pace. Speed: Most cycling clubs post the average mile per hour you should be comfortable with for weekend rides. Make sure your ability as a cyclist matches those of the group you’re riding with so you won’t be left behind. Age: Some groups are for cyclists of certain ages, focusing on either racing or leisurely cycling to stay fit and lose weight. Schedule: Cycling groups and clubs often meet at certain times during the week. Make sure your schedule fits with the club you’re looking to join. Price point: While some cycling clubs are free, though most have an annual fee and require you to purchase a cycling kit from the club. Check the costs before you decide to join and then choose the mos...

Being a popular sport, cycling  has become a fashion for people in different ages. Cyclists form actual cycling clubs and spend years of their lives working to become great cyclists. It's as serious as online football betting to those who are betting on the outcomes! And with Lance Armstrong managing to win the Tour de France so many times, it brought a little bit of glory the sport for people in the United States. However, it doesn't mean that there aren't teams that seem to take the sport a little less seriously. Over the years there have been some truly hilarious names that cycling teams have given themselves. Pedalphiles : The Pedalphiles are a group of dedicated cyclists that reside in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. Despite their definitely questionable name, the group holds the record for long distance outstation rides in Malaysia and they attend cycling events all over the world. Suck It Up Buttercup: There is also a group that calls itself "Suck It Up Bu...

Most of the same reasons why bicyclists will drive towards the center of a lane are good reasons for leaving the bike lane. Even in states with mandatory bike lane use, the law allows cyclists the same exceptions as it does to keeping right in general. Here are just a few reasons: Bike lanes collect the debris and glass that is swept off the road. Sometimes you can see it because it’s big, like tree branches, but sometimes only we can see it. A small shard of glass can cause a flat tire. (How many tires did you change on your way to work today?) Many bike lanes are designed poorly or just plain dangerous. Bike lanes next to parked cars are often entirely within a hazard area we call “the door zone.” A suddenly-opened door can kill a cyclist. When approaching intersections, or in areas with lots of driveways, a bike lane puts us in a conflict zone (shown in the above animation). Bike lanes increase our risk for all of the common crossing and turning crashes. It may not be a bike l...

It is no minimum age limit for the issuing of fines in the traffic regulation by the police. Bicycle riders who break the road rules will be given the same fines as motorists, but will not accumulate demerit points. Offences common to both bicycle riders and motorists include: failing to stop at a red traffic light disobeying a 'no U-turn' sign at an intersection failing to stop at a 'stop' sign at an intersection using a mobile phone exceeding the speed limit in a speed zone by less than 13km/h. Common offences specific to bicycle riders include: carrying more passengers than a bicycle is designed for failing to give way to pedestrians on a footpath or shared path failing to display a light at night or in hazardous weather conditions failing to wear an approved helmet. Motorised bicycles Legal motorised bicycles You can ride a motorised bicycle on all roads and paths, except where bicycles are prohibited. There are two types of legal motorised bicycl...

A bicycle storage area is a section of the road, before an intersection with traffic lights, where you can wait (for the traffic lights to change) in front of the stopped vehicles. A bicycle storage road area will have painted bicycle symbols, be between two parallel stop lines and may be painted green. Bicycle and motorcycle riders are allowed to cross the first stop line to enter the bicycle storage area but must stop at the second stop line at a red traffic light. Motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, must stop at the first stop line. A bicycle rider may choose to enter a bicycle storage area from a bicycle lane. When you enter a bicycle storage area, you must: give way to anyone that is already in the bicycle storage area give way to any vehicle that is entering the area on a green or yellow traffic light.

Whatever we do, safety is always the first. When you ride a bicycle, motorised foot scooter or a personal mobility device like a segway, you must wear an Australian Standard (AS) approved bicycle helmet. You must securely fit and fasten it. An approved bicycle helmet means a helmet that complies with AS 2063 or AS/NZS 2063. You may only carry passengers on your bicycle if the bicycle is designed to carry passengers. If you carry a passenger on your bicycle, they must also wear an approved helmet, securely fitted and fastened. However, if they are a paying passenger on a 3 or 4 wheeled bicycle, they do not have to wear a helmet. You do not need to wear a helmet if you have a doctor's certificate stating that, for a specific amount of time, you cannot wear a helmet: for medical reasons because of a physical characteristic that makes it unreasonable for you to wear one. If you have a doctor's certificate, you must carry it with you when you ride without a helmet. You also ...

If you’re getting a new bike, go to a reputable bike shop, where they can advise on the best type of bike and make sure it’s the right size for you. If you’ve already got a bike, get it checked to make sure it’s in a safe condition. It’s best to get your bike serviced regularly at a cycle shop. Check your bike regularly yourself, especially before taking to the road. Here are four things to do regularly: Check brakes and brake blocks or discs to ensure safe stopping in wet and dry weather Clean and oil moving parts to keep the bike working smoothly Tighten nuts and bolts to prevent any parts working loose Make sure lights are working properly and that reflectors are clean. Replace any batteries that don’t give a bright light.

It is neccesory for cyclists to wear pedal cyclists wear helmets? A study of 538 motorcyclists and 523 pedal cyclists who attended the A&E Ward of University Hospital in Nottingham following a road accident, including post mortem reports of 19 pedal cyclists and 87 motorcyclists who died. Pedal cyclists who died more commonly suffered head injuries than motorcyclists who died. Pedal cyclists who survived also sustained head injuries more commonly than motorcyclists who survived. Head injury was more likely to be the main (or only) cause of death for pedal cyclists whereas motorcyclists who died usually suffered other major injuries, but less severe head injuries. The report concludes that head protection could reduce the incidence and severity of head injuries among pedal cyclists

You may already notice that many people around us are cycling fans. Cycling is a fantastic way to get and stay fit. Regular cycling can also help you lose weight and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. People who cycle regularly in mid adulthood typically have a fitness level of someone 10 years younger, and a life expectancy two years above average. Yet, over half the people questioned in a RoSPA survey* said that they don’t cycle, with the main reasons being ‘concerns around the safety of road cycling’ and ‘concerns about drivers treating them badly’. Whether you are a driver, cyclist or both, by understanding other road users can help your anticipation and forward planning skills and ability to take evasive action, leading to safer roads and less conflict between road users. Misunderstanding is a major cause of conflict. Some cyclists feel threatened by inconsiderate driving and close overtaking. Whilst some drivers can’t understand why cyclists at times ride in the midd...

For the safety while cycling, we need to know something about SA laws. The National Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the National Road Traffic Regulations 2000 promulgated on 17 March 2000 in Gov Gazette 20963 (as amended from time to time)  includes the following bicycle-specific laws: * You must be seated on your saddle * You must ride in single file * You may not deliberately swerve from side to side * If you are riding on a public road where there is a bicycle lane, you must use that bicycle lane Note: Regulation 296 of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2000 states: “A person driving a vehicle on a public road shall do so by driving on the left side of the roadway … .”. Driving is defined in the Act to include riding a bicycle. There is no requirement to ride on the far left of the roadway or on the shoulder. The Road Traffic Regulations impose the same obligations on a bicycle as on a motor vehicle in this regard. Regulation 298(1) requires a vehicle to pass a cyclis...

In the followings are safety tips which are applicable to all cyclists, but even more so for commuters who often ride on their own as opposed to in small groups. Always wear a helmet. Apart from it being South African law since 2004, you never know when a dog runs out in front of you or a car cuts a corner in front of you and causes a fall. And as they say: If your head is worth R50, wear a R50 helmet… Obey the traffic rules: * Most cyclists get killed riding on the wrong side of the road or because they were not visible. Always have a steady white light on the front of your bike and a flashing red rear light between sunrise and sunset, and wear reflective kit. * ALWAYS STOP AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ALL STOP STREETS. And even if the light is green for you to cross an intersection, look out for motorists jumping the lights. Watch out for other road users at stop streets. Even if you are continuing straight at a T-junction stop street, there may be horseriders or people wal...

What is safe cycling? You’ll probably get a different answer from every website you read or any other cyclist you talk to. To me, ‘safe cycling’ relates to the combination of common sense, road rules and cycling knowledge to get you from Point A to Point B in a safe and efficient way, preferably with the journey having been a pleasant one and not fraught with danger. Firstly, please make sure that you are visible when you go out on the bicycle. Fit bright lights to your bike (steady white light in front; flashing red light behind the saddle); wear reflective strips or bands eg around your ankle where the motion attracts attention, and wear bright coloured kit (luminous colours work well) – especially when it is rainy, misty or overcast or at dawn/dusk. What do you need in order to cycle safely? a) You need the right vehicle… Choose the right bicycle for the job. I prefer using a hybrid or mountain bicycle for commuting purposes. It is more comfortable than a road racing ...