By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    How Not to Become a Victim of Medical Scams
    How Not to Become a Victim of Medical Scams
    December 22, 2021
    11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
    11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
    April 6, 2022
    How Can Brain Injury Lead To Dangerous Long-Term Effects?
    How Can Brain Injury Lead To Dangerous Long-Term Effects?
    August 30, 2022
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Why are Girls Being Abandoned and Battered ?
    August 20, 2012
    biopharma beat innovation and imagination
    BioPharma Beat: Imagination Is More Important Than Innovation
    August 5, 2014
    HIPAA Compliance Breaches Higher Than Ever: What Are You Doing About It?
    April 26, 2016
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Cycling Safety: Staying Safe While You Get Fit
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Cycling Safety: Staying Safe While You Get Fit
Wellness

Cycling Safety: Staying Safe While You Get Fit

Cycling can be a great way to get into shape, but bicyclists will also need to try to stay safe.

Aaron Barriga
Aaron Barriga
Share
5 Min Read
Cycling Safety
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 2264352619 | By Evgeny Atamanenko
SHARE

Cycling is growing in popularity as both a means of transportation and a way for people to get fit outdoors. In fact, according to studies, it’s good for your heart, muscles, and balance alike. However, venturing out on busy roads also introduces risks that every rider needs to manage for their safety.

Contents
  • Proper Equipment is Essential
  • Learn and Obey All Traffic Laws
  • Mind Your Surroundings
  • Ride Defensively

By understanding and applying key cycling safety practices, you can effectively minimize those risks.

Proper Equipment is Essential

Getting on a bike without the proper safety equipment greatly increases your risk of injury in the event of an accident. The National Safety Council reports that in 2020, there were 325,000 preventable accidents on bicycles. With that in mind, experts advise that you always wear a properly fitted helmet to protect your head, which is the most vulnerable part of your body. Most cycling-related deaths occur due to head injuries that could have been prevented by a helmet.

Additionally, wear bright and reflective clothing to maximize your visibility to drivers. Consider getting a rearview mirror so you can monitor traffic from behind without constantly turning your head. Other key gear includes cycling gloves to protect your hands in case of a fall and sturdy shoes that will prevent your feet from slipping off the pedals.

More Read

7 Tips To Make Your Grilling Healthier
It Takes More Than Technology to Change Health Behaviors
5 Simple Behaviors That May Ward Off Dementia
Balancing Your Hormones Through A Healthy Vegan Diet
What’s Wrong with Pay for Performance?

Learn and Obey All Traffic Laws

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists on the road. Be sure to obey all traffic signals, signs, and lane markings. Signal your turns using proper hand signals so drivers know what you intend to do. Ride in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right side of the road as safely as possible. Be especially cautious at intersections and driveways when cars may cross or enter your path unexpectedly. Use lights and reflectors if riding at dawn, dusk, or night to ensure other road users can see you. According to BikeEasy, a bicycle advocacy group out of New Orleans, lights should be no less than 200 lumens, but 400 to 1000 lumens is preferred.

Mind Your Surroundings

While cycling, you need to not only pay attention to the road directly ahead but monitor all around you. Use your mirrors and periodically check behind you for approaching cars. Scan side streets, driveways, and parking lots carefully for cars that may be pulling out. Give parked cars extra space in case doors open or cars pull out suddenly. Stay alert and prepared to brake and steer away from danger. Having good environmental awareness as a cyclist is critical in avoiding accidents.

Ride Defensively

Bicycle riders need to embrace defensive riding strategies to stay safe amid traffic. Assume drivers do not see you, even when you have the right of way, and avoid riding in their blind spots. Brake early when you anticipate the need to slow or stop. Scan surroundings constantly to identify risks early on, whether potholes, opening car doors or merging vehicles. Use extreme caution in risky areas like intersections, driveways, and school zones. Ride outside the door zone of parked cars so opening doors do not hit you. Finally, avoid risky cycling behaviors like texting, listening to music, or riding with no hands which take your attention off riding safely. Following defensive strategies helps prevent accidents even when others make mistakes.

Staying safe on a bike requires following safety best practices designed to minimize risk. Ensuring you have proper equipment, obeying traffic laws, staying aware of your surroundings, responsibly sharing the road, and riding defensively all enable enjoying cycling while protecting your wellbeing. Follow these tips and you can ride as safely as possible while improving your fitness.

TAGGED:cyclingfitnesssafety
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Aaron Barriga
Follow:
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK. Aaron loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

daily stretching benefits
Wellness

5 Ways Stretching Can Improve Your Healthy Life

September 15, 2022
cbd edibles
Wellness

6 Huge Reasons to Consider Consuming CBD Edibles

June 29, 2021

Empowering Healthcare Improvement with the Community Needs Assessment

January 27, 2013

Third of Home Care Staff Make Medication Errors – What You Can Do

April 7, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?