Bicycle Safety Equipment

For years adults and children went bicycle riding without a care. They would just fill the tires up with air and go. Today bicycle riders have an arsenal of equipment that not only keeps them safe, but some that are even mandatory.

  1. Helmets

    • Bicycle helmets are standard equipment for riders these days; many states require them by law. Even a low-speed fall from a bicycle can cause serious injury. Head injuries cause 75 percent of annual bicycle deaths. Helmets need to fit properly and should be bright in color so that they are visible. Helemts made for the United States must meet the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and will have a CPSC sticker inside the helmet.

    Beyond Helmets--Gloves

    • Gloves are the most used bicycle equipment aside from helmets. Gloves not only protect your hands from a fall, they also protect against blisters from holding the handle bars or grips tightly. Gloves also come in handy when picking up or brushing away debris from tires or chains

    Mouthguards

    • A fall from a bicycle can cause great impact and can inflict a great deal of damage. A mouthguard will protect your teeth and your jaw. Sporting goods stores carry mouth guards and many are now less cumbersome and form fitting.

    Flags

    • Cyclists that ride recumbent bikes should use a bike flag. A flag will make riders more visible. Flags are available in bike stores and most commonly come in orange and white.

    Lights and Reflective Gear

    • If you ride a bicycle after dark, lights are a must. Most serious bicyclers like active (blinking)lights. Also a large headlight is recommended. Reflective tape, clothing and standard reflectors are good, but do not replace the need for lights.

    Toe Clips

    • Toe clips help to eliminate a fall or a crash when a foot slides off a pedal. Toe clips take some getting used to and need to be adjusted to the rider's foot.

    Fun Fact

    • There are about a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as cars. A Scottish blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Macmillian is said to have invented the real bicycle in 1840.