Be Visible To Cars: Invest In A Bright Custom Cycling Jersey And Helmet

"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.

A couple of years ago, a road bicyclist was hit and run over by a car that sped away. Although the driver was never accosted, the bicyclist suffered extensive damage, and needed multiple plastic surgeries to reconstruct his face. This bicyclist's face is severely disfigured, and he is now just able to walk again. Although it may or may not have been the driver's fault (but judging that it was a hit and run, it probably was), this example has prompted tons of safe riding instructions for road bicyclists. A bicyclist can have a really cool, custom cycling jersey but if it's not a bright color, it's not going to do much good. Similarly, warm up jackets worn by bicyclists should be bright colors - neon even - in order to be completely visible to drivers. If biking at night, riders should install a flasher on their bike, or reflectors on the back of their bikes. So whether it's night or day, there are multiple things that bicyclists can do to become more visible to drivers.

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 bicyclist who's weary about stepping out into the road with cars, there's a couple of pointers that can help you stay safe. One of the most critical elements of road biking is staying steady; when a bicyclist loses his balance in traffic, they put not only themselves at risk, but other cars as well. Avoid unsteadiness and swerving by dropping your hand to whichever side you're turning to look behind. If you're turning to your left, drop your left hand to beside your body and move your right hand closer to the middle of the handlebar. This will keep you from swerving while maintaining balance. Here's another pointer: Wear bright colors. The more vibrant your custom cycling jersey is, the more likely cars will see you. Save those dark colored warm up jackets for working out sans a bike; instead, invest in some brightly-colored jackets that will make you visible to drivers. And as always, stay alert. If you practice these safe rules, you'll ensure many pleasant future road biking experiences.