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 | health information | health living | lifestyle | exercise | cycling | get on your bike | protecting yourself
Protecting yourself
Making sure you are seen
While they might never make the catwalks of Milan, high-visibility items of clothing are great for making sure that you are seen. A fluorescent and reflective vest worn by roadside workers is effective. However, if you'd like to be more fashionable, there are a range high-visibility cycle clothes or strips you can buy. Remember, it is just as important to wear it in the daytime as at night.
For the bike itself, reflectors on the front and rear, and on the spokes and pedals will help to improve your visibility. Also, the law requires that you must use front- and rear-facing lights when it is dark. Most bike shops sell a wide range of lights and its worth investing in modern, high-quality lights with either halogen bulbs or LEDs. All bike lights must conform to British Standards, so look out for the kitemark. To be sure that you're seen for the whole journey, make sure that your batteries are up to the job.
Be kind to your hands
If your bike gives a firm ride, a pair of gloves or cycle mitts will help to absorb some of the bumps and jolts. Also, they will help to keep the wind out on cold winter days. And, if you do take a tumble, they will offer some protection against cuts and scrapes.
Choosing a cycle helmet
Cycle helmets are VAT free, inexpensive and comfortable. Many authorities, including the British Medical Association, recommend wearing one when cycling. The question of whether or not cycle helmets can protect you in a major accident is still unresolved, but they will offer some protection from low-speed accidents and will help to keep the rain out.
When buying a helmet, try different models to find one that gives a snug, comfortable fit. Ensure the internal pads and fixing straps are adjusted so that the front of the helmet runs horizontally just above the eyebrows, not halfway up your head. Look out for helmets that conform to one of the international safety standards. The most stringent of these standards is B95 from the SNELL Memorial Institute.
Just one word of advice, now that you are fully helmeted, gloved and highly visible don't use this as an excuse to take more risks!1
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References
- Cycle Helmets: the Case for and Against, Policy Studies Institute, Mayer Hillman, 1993. Summary. www.pcug.org.au/~psvansch/crag/psi.htm. Accessed on 27 April 2004
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