Questions tagged [safety]
Riding safely, safety equipment, and safe places to ride.
136
questions
34
votes
10
answers
11k
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What should I look for when buying a used bicycle?
I'm moving to a city where I can ride a bicycle to the grocery store, coffee shop etc. I want to purchase a decent used bicycle. I'm leaning towards a bike that's in between a "10-speed" or road-bike ...
48
votes
16
answers
10k
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Best ways to avoid getting hit by cars?
When riding through city traffic, what are the best ways to increase the chance you are seen, given a bit of space, and are not touched by any vehicles?
63
votes
15
answers
42k
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Why don't cyclists wear all-encompassing motorcycle-style helmets?
It is possible to get a helmet that covers your entire head and face, and in theory would protect you against more kinds of falls. In particular, Why don't bicyclists wear them, and why do ...
59
votes
21
answers
11k
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Is listening to music dangerous while cycling? [closed]
This wouldn't apply to riding technical trails or anything challenging, but are there any reasons to eschew the tunes while riding? Noise canceling earbuds would probably be hazardous to myself and ...
19
votes
34
answers
18k
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What are the reasons for and against wearing a bicycle helmet?
This is a tricky question to ask correctly. One attempt has already been closed as subjective and argumentative. There is no one correct answer, for sure. However, there are interesting reasons that I ...
113
votes
6
answers
37k
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Safety data: Which is safer, head/tail lights which blink or emit a steady beam?
My head and tail lights can be set to blink or emit a steady beam of light.
I usually set my rear (red) light to blink, because I believe it makes me more visible at night. My friend argues that it ...
58
votes
30
answers
14k
views
How can I make my bike (and myself) visible at night?
By winter I will be commuting on my bike at night. How can I make my bike as visible as possible to all car drivers?
25
votes
14
answers
18k
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Bicycle designed for one-arm usage?
I badly fractured my shoulder in a car accident and have limited mobility in my right arm after the repair.
Is there a way for me to safely bicycle on city streets with one arm? Can I modify my ...
70
votes
8
answers
9k
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When or how often should I replace my bike helmet?
I’ve fallen a couple times, but no serious damage is visible on the helmet except for a couple divots here and there.
Should I consistently be replacing my helmet after a certain amount of time? ...
55
votes
17
answers
10k
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How to get over anger at inconsiderate drivers
Fortunately, I have very few strongly negative interactions with cars (most people generally seem to respect the way I ride), but those that do stick with me for a while.
The scenario is almost ...
41
votes
12
answers
52k
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Using a ski helmet for winter biking
I am curious if anyone uses a skiing helmet for winter biking? Would this be safe? Are skiing helmets designed to protect you from the same kind of accidents that you would have on a bike?
My ...
12
votes
6
answers
22k
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What are the advantages of filling tires with Nitrogen instead of air?
I am completely new to riding bikes and know that are usually filled with air but nowadays some people fill them with Nitrogen instead.
I don't know why they prefer to fill their tires with nitrogen ...
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What are the features that I should seek in cycling glasses?
I am seeking eye protection for cycling. I don't know if I should buy glasses or goggles.
8
votes
13
answers
59k
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Do the benefits of clipless pedals out weigh any danger they may pose the rider?
As a newbie rider, I was asked by many experienced riders and bike shop experts if I was using clipless pedals yet? The implication was you are not really a serious rider until you are clipless, sort ...
86
votes
13
answers
5k
views
Is pollution a problem in urban cycling?
I usually ride a bicycle in Barcelona. I'm concerned about pollution and I take an anti-pollution mask. Of course, some people scream because they confuse me with Hannibal Lecter but currently that's ...
29
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Do I really need to replace my helmet every 2-3 years if it hasn't been in a crash?
OK, I know from the top answer here: When or how often should I replace my bike helmet?, that I should buy a new helmet every 2-3 years, even if it hasn't been in a crash and shows no signs of damage.
...
25
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Does it make you safer to use lights during the day?
My bike light, the Cygolite Metro 360, has a "Daylighting" mode which flashes very brightly and is intended to be used during the day. Similarly, many tail lights have flashing modes. Obviously one ...
24
votes
6
answers
21k
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Would a military helmet make a safe alternative to a bicycle helmet?
I am in need of a new bicycle helmet and have been exploring some alternative options. One possibility I am considering is visiting my local Army Surplus store and getting a helmet there. I only use ...
16
votes
10
answers
44k
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How to keep glasses dry in the rain?
Today in the middle of my ride it started raining and I could barely see due to the amount of rain on my glasses.
This is basically what I could see
I have jokingly talked about using Rain-X on my ...
13
votes
6
answers
42k
views
New Chain causing skipping on cassette - will this work itself out or is it unsafe?
I just installed a new chain on my 2002 Trek 2200 Road Bike. The old chain was a Shimano 9 speed that I installed 18 months and about 5000 miles ago. It had stretched modestly and was full of winter ...
6
votes
4
answers
505
views
Safety check for a used bike
I'm a poor student and I bought a used bike. I don't have experience with bikes and I want to make sure that the bike is safe for me because actually I found the bike in a garbage container and the ...
79
votes
11
answers
27k
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Why is it safer to bike with traffic, instead of facing oncoming cars?
There has been an ongoing debate in my area's local newspaper, regarding biking with vs. against the flow of traffic. A recent incident in which a cyclist was hit from behind, and later died of his ...
29
votes
7
answers
8k
views
Is there a way to hop up onto a parallel curb?
The scenario: you're riding in a curb-adjacent, paint-only bike lane. You happen to look over your shoulder (or in your mirror) and see a vehicle approaching from behind, either fully in the bike lane,...
28
votes
6
answers
71k
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What are the risks of untrued wheels?
I understand that wheels should be trued for efficiency. Are there any safety risks (or risk of damaging the bike) in using untrued wheels?
Are the risks different between wheels untrued left-right ...
20
votes
11
answers
1k
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Urban Cycling Safety Innovations
Portland, Oregon is one of several U.S. cities with a progressive bicycling culture. A couple of innovations the city has implemented are "bike boxes" and "sharrows".
Bike boxes are road markings ...
15
votes
4
answers
10k
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Enhancing brake force with steel rims in wet conditions?
I currently own an old racing bike, that still has ripped steel rims and a side pull caliper brake. The braking power is acceptable when the street is dry, but as soon as it gets wet (even morning dew)...
14
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What hand signals work best for cyclists in the US?
I am looking for some guidance on what hand signals and strategies to keep me alive on the roads.
13
votes
4
answers
13k
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What is the recommended type of tire for riding on wet pavement?
I am commuting in rainy Seattle, and the rain has started. Right now I have Continental Gatorskin tires on my commuter, but yesterday I noticed I was braking to stop the wheels and skidding quite a ...
12
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Recovering confidence after a fall
One month has passed since I fell on a mountain bike trip. The accident wasn't critical, it just left a huge scratch. The accident happened during a fast descent when my front tire hit a little crack.
...
11
votes
1
answer
334
views
Water safety during touring?
This question raised a new sub-problem of which I was not at all aware of.
I carry a heater to boil the water before I drink it but I am unsure whether it removes all dirt from water. Please, note ...
5
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Why do only downhill mountain bikers wear full face helmets?
A lot of cyclists are concerned about safety and having the proper equipment, but I have never seen a cyclist riding in the city with a full-face helmet, nor have I seen a full-face helmet marketed ...
123
votes
33
answers
63k
views
How do I deal with a dog chasing me when I'm touring?
Once I was riding my road bike down a rural road. I heard barking over my shoulder and saw two dobermans running toward me. I can't think of a time in my life that I felt more endangered.
I reacted ...
54
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Does a helmet-mounted light affect the safe functionality of the helmet?
I am currently testing a bunch of lights for my (slowly) upcoming head lights review. Several of the lights can be mounted to a helmet using a mounting strap, like this:
I'm wondering if having a ...
54
votes
16
answers
32k
views
Safest way to slow down a bike quickly if both sets of brakes fail
This may sound like a crazy question, however today in the wet my rear brakes decided to stop working effectively. It has been pouring rain here which makes the problem more apparent.
I managed to ...
33
votes
10
answers
5k
views
Which states or countries have stop-sign-as-yield laws for bicyclists (Idaho stop law)?
In Idaho (PDF), bicyclists are allowed to treat stop signs as yields, and red lights as stop signs (essentially; see the actual law for details). This seems like a very reasonable approach, balancing ...
31
votes
9
answers
1k
views
What is a good camera arrangement for city riding?
I would like to have continuous camera coverage while commuting on city streets, in order to have evidence in any collision. I have been experimenting with an ATC3K mounted on the pannier rack, ...
29
votes
11
answers
47k
views
What's the safest way to turn left from a right-side bike lane?
(United States road configuration and customs here. Sorry, those of you who drive on the left!)
On my trip home, I use a bike lane near the right side of a very busy one-way arterial street; there is ...
29
votes
12
answers
64k
views
Carbon bikes make me nervous. Can you ease the tension?
Is it only me, or do Carbon bikes make others nervous!
I realize that carbon fibre is strong, but for some reason, having a bike that isn't made out of metal seems like asking for trouble.
My main ...
26
votes
12
answers
1k
views
Safety guidelines for cycling in traffic
Please post your safety tips for cycling/commuting that should help you get to your destination place in one piece.
I came across a nice printed guideline a few years ago when working as courier, it ...
26
votes
4
answers
25k
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What are my options for cycling mirrors?
What options are available in terms of types of cycling mirrors? Where all can I mount them and what are the advantages and disadvantages to each?
24
votes
5
answers
14k
views
How should a bicycle helmet fit?
I see enough folks wearing helmets in such a manner that they might as well not be. What is the proper way to fit & wear a bicycle helmet?
24
votes
9
answers
4k
views
What are some alternatives to fruitlessly ringing my bell at a motorist?
I doubt that motor-vehicle drivers can hear the "ding" sound that a bicycle bell makes. What are some better alternatives?
22
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is fluorescent clothing effective?
I read recently that fluorescent clothing was not effective at all at night. If this is the case, how effective is it during the day, and should I stop buying tops that are fluorescent to use on my ...
22
votes
8
answers
4k
views
Why are battery-powered lights so popular?
Both on this site and "in real life", battery-powered lights appear to be at least as popular as generator-powered lights.
I have always been slightly confused by this. To me, a generator-powered ...
21
votes
7
answers
36k
views
How do I bring an old bike up to speed?
I'm an adult that is new to biking due to a triple whammy of a childhood aversion to effort, my family moving to a town on the side of a mountain with steep roads, and my bike getting run over by a ...
21
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Night cycling: Is it worth using electroluminescent wire?
It's currently winter in the UK, so for my commute to and from work I need lights and reflective surfaces for safety. I've read about local people losing their lives cycling, so I want to make myself ...
21
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Are anti-pollution masks effective?
In Toronto when the temperature goes above 30 degrees Celcius (90 degrees Farenheit), for a few days and without wind, there is smog.
I find the smog irritates and makes it difficult to breathe in ...
20
votes
9
answers
9k
views
How many fingers on the brake lever of an MTB?
I have seen people stop with one finger, two fingers or the whole hands on the levers. Is there a recommended number of fingers on the brake levers when stopping/anticipating an emergency stop? Do ...
19
votes
13
answers
7k
views
Why should I use a mirror?
In a comment to an answer about helmet replacement mention was made of a mirror and perhaps suggesting that a helmet was merely a good place to mount a mirror. I, hopefully humorously, suggested that ...
17
votes
7
answers
5k
views
How important is the MIPS safety system for a bicycle helmet? [duplicate]
I'm shopping for a bicycle helmet. The ones without this "MIPS" feature can cost 549 SEK: https://www.sportson.se/produkt/miles-69415850
But then there is an identical-looking one with "...