May is National Bicycle Month, which is perfect timing because this is the time of year when most of us are starting to become more active outdoors. Whether you use a bike to ride to school or work, for enjoyment or exercise it is important to get familiar with some safety tips in order to keep yourself and your family safe.
• Protect your head. Never ride a bike without a properly fitted helmet. This might sound obvious, however, many people think they are okay without a helmet and end up getting seriously injured.
• Ride a bike that fits you properly and make sure to check all parts of the bicycle to make sure they are secure and working well.
• Follow the rules of the road. If you are riding in the street, bicycles are considered vehicles of the road, which means riders must follow the same traffic laws as a driver. (You wouldn’t want to get pulled over while riding a bicycle!)
• Be visible at all times. If you are riding at night wear bright colors and put reflectors on your bike.
• Drive with caution. Don’t assume all drivers can see you. Double check when crossing the road, stay on the sidewalk or in the bike lane. Take extra care while riding on the road and be aware of your surroundings.
As with any other valuable property, you need to think about protection. The Insurance Information Institute has a short video about insurance coverage basics for your bikes.