The arrival of a New Year can provide the perfect time to start re-evaluating your routine. Sometimes you want to try and get into better shape, and other times you may feel it is important to improve your carbon footprint. Thankfully, there is one thing that achieves both of these goals- cycling.
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Many people are either picking up their old bikes or purchasing new ones, and there are plenty of reasons you should join them. Cycling to work can save on emissions, and a weekend bike ride can help shift those extra pounds. However, the initial cost of a bike isn’t the only thing you will need to consider. Here is a list of essential items you will need when cycling and the reason why you should have them.
Protective Gear
The most essential piece of kit that you should have when riding a bike is a helmet. Never get on a bike without wearing your helmet. This is for your own protection. No law in the USA states that you have to wear a bike helmet when cycling; however, some local ordinances can commune to issue fines if they deem it necessary.
Protective gear doesn’t only include a bike helmet. There are also items, such as knee guards and elbow guards, that can help prevent serious injury in an accident. Again, there is no law that requires you to wear these items, it is your prerogative. However, it has been proven that you are far safer when riding wearing some form of protective gear.
Lights
You may get away with not wearing protective gear while cycling on the roads; however, there are laws concerning your visibility. Every bike should come with a reflector on both the front and back. These are designed to highlight your presence to other drivers at night. If your bike does not come with reflectors, then you should fit them yourself, or provide a way to make yourself visible. Lights are an additional option, but they aren’t mandatory if you already have reflectors.
Furthermore, you may also want to wear something colorful when cycling at night. You are far less likely to get into an accident if other drivers can see you, so try to look think about hi-vis clothing or straps that you can attach to yourself. After all, it never hurts to be too cautious.
Security
It is easy to get carried away when using your bike. However, there are some additional things to think about when riding about. One of which is, what are you going to do with your bike when you don’t need it? it isn’t like driving a car, where you need a specific key to turn the engine. Anyone can hop on a bike and pedal away.
That is why it is crucial that you invest in a bike lock. These devices allow you to chain up your bike while you are at work or in a shop without the risk of it being stolen. The lock can be set to open with a sequence of four numbers, so only you are able to release the bike. Just keep these digits saved on your phone in case you forget. A lot can happen in an eight-hour workday.
Insurance
Insurance is used to protect you from paying out damages to other parties in court or hospital fees in the case of an accident, and can also be used to cover the repair of your vehicle. This is perfectly normal for drivers, but women must know that they can also purchase bike insurance.
This insurance should cover you in the event of an accident, and you can visit Velosurance to learn more about what women must know about cycling. The world is an unpredictable place, so make sure that you are covered before you get on that bike.
Weather Proof Gear
The simple act of cycling might seem like enough to get your blood pumping and warm you up, but this does not mean that you should ignore the cold weather. There are plenty of examples of cold-related cycling illnesses, such as bronchospasm. Breathing in a lot of cold air at high speeds isn’t good for your lungs, so make sure that you have protected your chest at all costs.
Things like a scarf, gloves, and thick sweaters will help prevent this type of illness, so try to be extra careful when the weather turns cold. Cold-based cycling illnesses are rare, but it never hurts to prepare for the worst. As always, exercising common sense is a good way to approach a new hobby like cycling.
Summary
This article should have prepared you properly for your new cycling adventure, and you should be able to find all of these essential items with ease. Ensure you conduct your own research too, so that you can find more relatable items that will suit your needs.
