

Keep in mind that safety doesn’t just mean protective equipment it’s also about how cyclists interact with motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists. You can also get prescription lenses made for these. Some glasses let you swap in different lenses, so you can choose the appropriate ones, depending on your conditions. Clear (untinted) lenses are good when it’s raining because they’ll protect your eyes but won’t be too dark. To protect your eyes from dirt, debris, and sun glare, you can wear safety glasses or sunglasses marketed and sold as cycling-specific ones. But it’s okay to ride without them if you’re more comfortable that way. Finally, gloves help relieve pressure from the palms and prevent blisters from forming. Second, in the event of a fall, gloves will protect your palms it’s natural to put your hands out when falling, and the impact can scrape them up. First, it helps you keep your grip on the handlebars even if you are sweating or riding in the rain. It isn’t a rolling fashion show.Ī good pair of cycling gloves serves a number of purposes. The key is to be visible by contrasting with your environment. Some cycling clothes also come with reflective strips. Think brighter colors rather than blacks or grays that could be easily overlooked or lost in shadows. Wear easily visible cycling clothing, such as a bright yellow, red, orange, or blue jacket or vest, to improve your ability to be seen. If you have a need to ride before the sun rises or after it sets, you’ll need high-powered lights to illuminate the road. But even with these lights blinking and strobing, assume motorists won’t see you-even if you have the right of way. A forward-facing blinking white light will make you more noticeable to oncoming traffic, while a rear-facing blinking red light will make you visible to traffic behind you. This isn’t to light your way rather, it’s to make you more visible during daylight hours and especially at dusk and dawn. It’s best to always use front and rear lights, even during the day. Before using the helmet, check to make sure that it meets standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
#Ever forward clothing review how to
If you already have one, check out how to make sure it fits properly. You can find helmets at your local bike shop or order one online. If you’re unsure of the age of your helmet, or if it has been a while since you’ve bought a helmet for your kids, check out CR’s bicycle helmet buying guide and ratings. Consumer Reports recommends replacing a helmet every five years-or immediately if you’ve taken a spill and hit your head while wearing it, or if the helmet shows damage like cracking or delamination of the shell or inner foam layer.
Helmet use has been estimated to reduce the odds of head injury by 50 percent and the odds of head, face, or neck injury by 33 percent.īut helmets don’t last forever. This highlights the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet.


In the majority of bicyclist deaths, the most serious injuries are to the head, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But you also need some specific safety equipment. Of course, you need to make sure that the bicycles you and your family are riding have been maintained and are in safe working condition. Now there is more motivation than ever to take precautions. Getting injured while cycling is always a possibility, even if you aren’t traveling at Tour de France speeds. There’s a reason “it’s as easy as falling off a bike” is an adage. This means it’s important-especially for newer riders who were used to nearly deserted streets-to keep safety in mind when heading out on two wheels. In addition, bicycle retailers have been reporting that a majority of those who first started riding during the lockdowns are still cycling. Now, with those days in the proverbial rearview mirror, both automotive and pedestrian traffic have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Many of these people took up cycling when road traffic was incredibly low, due to people either working at home or having had their work hours severely curtailed. According to People for Bikes, a bicycling advocacy organization, 34 percent of Americans rode bikes in 2022 (PDF), which is more than in 20 (both 32 percent). During the depths of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns people turned to cycling in record numbers.
