Make That Custom Cycling Jersey Neon Yellow: Road Bicycling Tips

"Hippie!" "Gas-guzzler!" "Get a car!" Today, this seems to be the general conversation between road bicyclists and cars. More than once I've seen the verbal fight between road bicyclists and cars almost turn physical; the car thinks that the bicyclists should get off the road, and the bicyclists thinks that the car should share the road. In places like Portland, Oregon, this issue has become so bad that legislation has been implemented dictating biker/car road laws. So if you're a bicyclist who enjoys riding on the road, how can you avoid a verbal brawl with an angry driver? Being visible is the most important aspect of safe road bicycling outside of courteous riding. Wear a bright, easy-to-spot custom cycling jersey and invest in several similarly-colored warm up jackets. And last but not least, look into your local government's rules about riding bicycles on the road. The more you're aware, the less on-road conflict you'll have.

Most people can agree that in terms of size, the two-ton car has a bit of an advantage over the 200 pound bicycle and rider. Mass, however, does not always equal power. As bicyclists can easily maneuver between traffic, more and more cars are either caught off guard, or are simply not paying attention; this results in serious accidents. Although both parties are to blame, there are a few critical things that road bicyclists can do to avoid collisions. Aside from the neon custom cycling jersey a biker should invest in several insulted, thick warm up jackets that are preferably made from leather or a similar material. In the incident of a crash, road bikers can avoid road rash by wearing a thick, protective jacket. In addition to this, any road bicyclist should never forgot a helmet - ever.

Recently, my friend's friend got hit by a car while riding his bike down a busy street. Sadly, as the car sped off, the bicyclist's face was completely crushed, and he would be in a coma and undergo reconstructive facial surgery for the next year. For this reason, bicyclists need to be extra cautious while riding alongside cars. Although a driver might take note of your custom cycling jersey, that doesn't mean they'll brake fast enough to avoid hitting you. Road bicyclists should pay attention 100% of the time (which is more than most drivers); listen for a car's engine, another bicyclist, or even the annoying dog that might chase you. Invest in a few warm up jackets to avoid road rash in case you do experience a crash. And use common sense. It's better to take a longer, less congested route than a shorter, traffic-packed busy road. Opt for quieter, less-crowded roads where you'll have less of a chance of getting hit by an inattentive driver.

If you're biking on a road with the big league cars, then you've got to play by their rules. Although it may feel silly, road bicyclists should always signal which way they're going; this gives cars a heads up, and it helps them to avoid an accident. The brighter and bigger a bicyclist can make themselves, the better; this can mean wearing a neon, custom cycling jersey, helmets, and brightly-colored warm up jackets. The less you blend in with surrounding traffic, the better. And here's the rule of thumb: If a car is kind enough to let you merge into their lane, or wait for you, give them a friendly wave. The relationship between road bicyclists and cars is in dire need of reparation; so be generous with your thanks you's.

If you're a beginning biker, the excitement of riding on the road may overcome the desire to become well-practiced before heading out. If you're an amateur, there are a couple of things you'll need to know before heading out with your custom cycling jersey and helmet in hand. Oftentimes, when a biker looks behind them while riding, the handlebars will follow the direction that they're looking, which results in a gnarly crash. Avoid this by dropping your arm on the side that you're turning; in the meantime, move the other hand closer to the middle of the handlebars to keep the bike steady. This is a safe, easy way to check behind you without losing control of your bike. In addition to this quick tip, stock up on thick, neon colored warm up jackets and gloves. The thicker, the better; these items will protect against road rash and cold weather. Keep these tips in mind while riding on the road - and always pay 100% attention to your circumstances.