Cycling is one of the most rewarding ways to run your errands, with a weekend-long endurance ride providing even more fulfillment on your ride back home. Like all other means of travel, cycling still comes with its share of frustrations, with mistakes likely to cost you and other motorists property damage or injury costs. Fortunately, numerous errors are easy to avoid, so here are some to remember.
Braking In Corners
This is one of the most common mistakes you may encounter as a new cyclist. Try braking as you approach the corner instead of braking when already in the corner. This gives you enough time to negotiate the corner, avoiding your bike locking up, which can result in a crash. That said, if you encounter accidental impacts, you may need to hire a Centennial bicycle accident lawyer. Remember that the stopping distance will be greater during wet and slippery conditions, so brake earlier in snow and rainy weather.
Lack of Adequate Rest
Rest is critical to cyclist safety, with fatigue significantly affecting response speed. A good night’s rest can help improve concentration on the road, with a daytime nap also handy for taking a break from cycling. Cyclists are tasked with most of the decision-making that innovative automobiles can help with, making alertness a vital part of cycling.
Pacing yourself for long journeys will be the key to improving safety on the road, with well-scheduled breaks a top priority. Additionally, keeping your energy at the right level and staying hydrated can improve mental stimulation, allowing you to keep your observation skills at optimal levels. This will be the key to avoiding collisions in high-traffic areas such as parks to prevent hitting other passersby as seen in a 2021 cycling accident.
Lack of Adequate Gear Knowledge
Bicycle gears can come anywhere in the range of 15 or more selections, each suited to different terrains. Understanding their different limits will help you stay safe on various paths while limiting bodily injuries due to intense pedaling. If, for instance, your cycling session is destined for a downhill descent, the more complex gears will be suitable, with the easier gears ideal for climbs.
Failure to Pay Attention to Surfaces
Off-road cycling surfaces are prone to wet and slippery conditions, with any change in weather likely to adversely affect your ride. With this in mind, pay attention to the surfaces, with heavy downpours likely to cause slippery terrains due to water-logged conditions. Cycling alone in such areas could prove hazardous, with a change of tires allowing you to tackle such areas easily. Make it a point also to switch up your tires if cycling in mountainous areas, as worn-out tires could lead to falls on cliffs and when riding on the edge of mountains. Sticking to the recommended Centennial bike paths will also be essential to helping you stay on the right terrains, especially in challenging weather.
Grabbing Your Brakes Too Hard
Handling your brakes with too much force increases your risk of flying over the handlebars and into other oncoming traffic. Controlling your braking will be the trick to ensuring a safe stop, with anticipated braking allowing you to maintain stability in both the front and the back of your bicycle. Failure to do this may leave you in the wrong lane, as evidenced by a 2020 crash in Centennial. If you need to stop urgently, consider balanced braking at the front and rear. This eliminates loss of control on busy roads, especially at intersections.
While cycling is a rewarding way to get around, the above don’ts are some ways that could leave you and other motorists at a disadvantage while on the road. Part of being a great cyclist is listening to your body and resting when needed, allowing you to increase your decision-making while on your bike. Additionally, educating yourself on the different gears, surfaces and when to brake on corners will be essential during biking.
