If you’re an urban cyclist, you know how important it is to be safe, prepared, and informed when you’re riding around the city. With busy streets and unpredictable traffic, it’s essential to be as prepared as possible. To make commuting easier and less stressful, we’ve gathered together seven urban cycling tips guaranteed to help city riders.
1. Get the Right Gear for Urban Cycling
Cycling in the city requires the right gear. When selecting the right equipment, prioritise things like safety, visibility, comfort, and durability. Here are some must-have items for your urban cycling journey.
- Helmet: This is an essential piece of gear. Look for a comfortable helmet with a good fit that meets safety standards.
- Clothing: Wear bright-coloured clothing so that you are easily visible to other cars and pedestrians. You might also invest in cycling-specific clothing and footwear for additional comfort.
- Lights: Get lights for the front and back of your bike. Make sure the lights are visible from a distance so you can be seen by other commuters on the road.
- Lock: Choose a quality D-lock or cable bike lock to secure your bike when you need to leave it unattended.
In addition to these items, you may also want to get a mirror to help you check for cars behind you. It’s also a good idea to carry a repair kit for quick fixes, and store a few spare tubes, pump, and tire levers in your bag for emergency repairs.
2. Familiarize Yourself With City Streets
Plan Your Route
Before you even venture out on that first ride, you should first have an idea of where you want to go and what route you will need to take. Familiarize yourself with the roads so you can avoid busy areas that could pose a threat to your safety. Use an app or even Google Maps to look at the different roads in your city and check out which ones have bike lanes or other features that will make your commute smoother and more comfortable.
Practice Makes Perfect
Even with a plan in hand, understanding the roads and navigating traffic and any obstacles you may encounter will take time. Don’t be afraid to try different routes and roads as you get used to cycling in the city. Once you have a good handle on it, carry around a map or your phone and make adjustments as you go. Here are7 tricks you should keep in mind when navigating city streets:
- Obey all laws and traffic rules.
- Stay visible by wearing bright colors and using LED lights.
- Be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards.
- Use your hands to signal your intent to drivers.
- Plan your route to avoid hills and busy intersections.
- Don’t be afraid to take the lane if it’s safer.
- Stay to the right and leave plenty of space when passing parked cars.
Once you become familiar with bike safety and city streets, cycling in a city can become incredibly enjoyable. There’s nothing like watching the hustle and bustle of a city from two wheels!
3. Plan Your Ride Ahead of Time
Planning your route ahead of time is essential to navigating your city by bicycle.
Here are three tips to plan your ride before you hit the road:
- Check for closures. Before selecting a route, refer to local news and ride-sharing app websites and groups to stay informed about any ongoing construction or road closures that might have an effect on your ride.
- Leave extra time. While riding your bike, you may experience visitors or sightseeing that may slow you down. Research suggests that cyclists may be up to 10 minutes slower than their expected time. Give yourself more wiggle room and set out for your destination slightly earlier.
- Be aware of dangerous areas. Some city streets may not be suitable for biking. It is important to stay informed about potential danger spots. Whenever possible, stick to main roads, or bike paths within your city that offer a safer, and usually more enjoyable, route.
Ideally, your plan should include breaks to rest and refuel if needed. As you become more familiar with cycling within the city, make sure your plan takes into consideration to all of these factors to ensure that your ride is safe and pleasant.
4. Pay Attention to One-Way Streets
When it comes to urban cycling, it’s important to . Not only can it save you some time, but it can also keep you safe from traffic that you’re not used to. Here are a few tips to take into account when riding through the cities:
- Do your research: Before you hit the road, it’s always a good idea to understand the different routes and city layouts. You can use websites like Google Maps or OpenStreetMaps to plan your route in advance.
- Pay attention to signs & markings: It’s important to pay attention to the signs along the road. Make sure to look out for signs that specify one-way streets and locations of U-turns.
Also be sure to pay attention to the colored lines or blocks that are painted along the road. Often times, they’ll indicate if it’s a one-way street or not.
Finally, if you’re unsure of which direction you need to go, it’s best to get off your bike and walk it to the other end of the street. It might not be the most efficient option, but it’s certainly the safest.
5. Be Prepared for Bad Weather
Riding a bicycle while living in the city can be exhilarating and more efficient than driving a car and waiting in traffic, but it can also come with certain risks. Bad weather can quickly turn a relaxing bike ride into a cold, wet, or even dangerous journey. Don’t let the elements stop you from enjoying all that urban cycling has to offer! Here are a few tips to keep you safe and dry:
- Check the Weather Forecast – This should be a no-brainer for every biker. Plan ahead so you know if rain, snow, high winds, and other bad weather is on its way.
- Bring an Umbrella – An umbrella, poncho, or other rain gear can help keep you dry in the short-term. Just make sure not to block your vision or interfere with your steering.
- Invest in Waterproof Gear – Investing in quality waterproof materials can make a huge difference when you have to ride in the rain. Quality rain gear can often be pricey, but it is usually worth the cost and stays true to form for life.
- Know Your Limits – You won’t always be able to avoid bad weather. Only ride if you feel safe and comfortable and if you feel conditions are deteriorating, it’s smarter to delay your trip.
Bad weather can be inconvenient, but with these few tips in mind, you can still enjoy urban cycling all year round. Before you head out, think carefully about the route you choose, be aware of traffic and other cyclists, and stay safe and enjoy your ride!
6. Watch Out for Traffic and Other Obstacles
City bicycle riders must be aware of traffic and obstacles while cruising down the streets. Here are a few essential tips for urban cyclists:
- Look both ways: Before you hop onto an intersection, make sure you look in both directions and respect other vehicles.
- Be patient: Don’t be tempted to break the traffic rules and endanger yourself or others. Wait for your turn as impatience can be risky.
- Be alert: Pay attention to the drivers around you, anticipate their turns, and be aware of sudden changes in your surroundings.
In addition to vehicles, city riders should look out for other obstacles when cruising the streets. Common obstacles to watch for are potholes, openings in the pavement, slippery surfaces, construction zones, and parked cars. Use proper bike handling skills to safely ride in and around busy cities.
7. Take Advantage of Bike Lanes and Paths
Be Visible and Use Lights One of the biggest advantages of bike lanes is that you have more visibility on the road. Wear brightly colored clothing and make sure your bike has lights so you can be seen, especially when it’s dark.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings City cyclists have to be extra aware of their surroundings. Pay attention to what’s going on around you and look out for closing taxi doors, cars pulling out of parking spots, and pedestrians in the bike lanes.
Be Prepared to Stop Quickly It’s also important to be prepared to stop quickly. It’s easy to ride in a bike lane without stopping, especially with the help of brakes, but when you’re flying through the city, you need to be prepared to hit the brakes any time.
Keep an Eye Out for Changes When it comes to bike lanes and paths, it’s important to always be aware of any changes or roadworks. It’s easy to get used to the same roads, but if something changes, you need to be prepared to take a different route.
Take Advantage of Bike Sheds Bike sheds are a great way to store your bike during the day. Not only do they offer protection from the elements, but they also keep your bike secure and away from thieves.
Need a Break? Make Use of Bike Stations Not all cities have them, but if you do, bike stations are a great way to relax and grab a drink and a snack. With bike stations, you can check your tires, adjust your bike’s brakes, and even fill up your water bottle.
Bring the Right Equipment Make sure you’re always prepared with the right equipment. Bring along a spare tire, repair tools, a pump, and a spare inner tube in case of a flat tire. Also, bring along a helmet, lights, and a lock for added safety. By following these seven tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a master of urban cycling! So take the plunge, get out on the road, and enjoy the journey. Be sure to be mindful of those around you and stay safe. Happy cycling!