Tips For Choosing Bicycle Safety Gear Before Your Ride

Over 45,000 bicyclists were injured in accidents in 2015. Bicyclists do not have the same protection that motorists do, so they often suffer serious injuries when they are involved in collisions. That’s why it’s important for bicyclists to do everything they can to protect themselves, including wearing the right protective gear. But, all gear is not created equal. Here are some tips for choosing bicycle safety gear that is right for you:

Helmet

A helmet is the single most important piece of protective gear that you should wear while riding a bicycle. When shopping for a helmet, make sure you are choosing a recreational helmet designed for people who ride bikes for leisure or to commute to work. Other helmets are designed for more serious, competitive bike riders, so they won’t fit your needs.

You will also need to pay attention to the size of the bike helmet . There are three words you need to keep in mind when determining if a helmet fits your head right: low, level, and snug. The helmet should sit low and level on your head so it covers the majority of your forehead. Once the chin strap has been connected, try to squeeze one of your fingers in between the strap and your chin. If the helmet fits properly, your finger should barely fit.

Finally, try to adjust your helmet back and forth and side-to-side. If the helmet moves more than one inch in any direction, you will either need to tighten the chin strap and try this test again, or buy a smaller helmet.

Elbow and Knee Pads

Bicyclists can protect their knees and elbows by wearing pads while riding. Pads are typically made out of a hard or soft plastic. It may seem as though the hard plastic will offer you more protection, but that’s not the case. Both will provide the same level of protection, but it’s recommended that you choose a soft plastic pad. These will allow you to move more freely and will fit comfortably underneath your clothing.

Clothing

Although clothing won’t protect you in the event of an accident, the right kind of clothing may help you prevent a collision in the first place. Bicyclists should always wear light colored or reflective clothing to maximize their visibility on the road. If you don’t have a reflective vest or jacket, consider purchasing reflective tape that you can apply to your clothing prior to a night ride.

Even if you are wearing all of the right protective gear, you may still suffer injuries in a bicycle accident. If you have been injured because of another person’s negligence, contact personal injury attorney James Rush at Rush Injury Law . Get in touch with our law office by calling 415-897-4801 or filling out the online form on our website www.rushinjurylaw.com to request a free consultation.