subject: Cycle clothes [print this page] Cycle clothes Cycle clothes
If you think about it, how many times have you seen a cyclist on a road bike without proper bike gear. We've all seen them, right? Riding without a cycle helmet, wearing dark clothing at night and even riding without any lights on their bike! Anyone who rides this way must surely do so at their own peril!
If you are a cyclist or you are maybe thinking of buying a bike then safety must be one of your first considerations. Please forgive me if it seems like I am teaching you to suck eggs but you see it really must be the responsibility of the cyclist to ensure their own safety and that of others. Remember, a cyclist can disappear in a motorist's peripheral vision unless they make themselves as bright as possible.
So were do you begin? Well let's look at cycling helmets first. Make sure that you take your time choosing the right one. Try to avoid helmets that are too cheap as these may not afford you the proper protection in an impact. Look for the safety standards mark. Once you have purchased your cycle helmet, take your time to adjust it correctly, it shouldn't be too loose as this could be disasterous if it slips off during a fall. So check that it is comfortable and up to the job.
Cycle lights must be your next consideration. The amount of lights that are available are many and varied. The most popular are battery powered lamps due to their ease of maintenance and reliability. Second are dynamo lights. These are great if you are a frequent rider as they charge up as you go so no batteries are required and they are eco friendly. Always remember that you need a white light at the front and a red to the rear. Having any lights, are better than no lights at all!
Lastly we will have a look at cycle clothing. I think it's important to wear some knee and elbow pads at the very least. However, if you want to go off road on your mountain bike, you might want to get some body armour, those rocks can hurt! Make sure that whatever type of bike gear you choose, it is brightly coloured, maybe with some high visibility reflectors. You can also buy a high visibility sash, this is highly effective. Safety before fashion!
You really MUST make yourself as bright as possible
