8 top safe tips require hardcore commuters to know

cycling safetyThey roll through the darkness, through fog, wind, rain, and sometimes snow.They work up a sweat by the time most people are working on the morning's first latte. They dart through traffic, slip down alleys, hop curbs and dodge sleepy motorists, all with one goal in mind: to get to work on time.

Hardcore commuters, those brave souls that prefer a bike or in-line skates to motorized transport, prove that getting to work doesn't have to be a drag, and anyone can squeeze a workout into a busy day. Commuting by bike is much safer than many people think. But there still exists many hazards. So how to avoid trouble for hardcore commuters?here are our top five tips for safe commuting.

1.Don’t be afraid to use the road

As a slower moving vehicle, cyclists should position themselves in a way that makes overtaking as safe as possible for other road users. The problem with this, however, is that often such positioning is not the ideal place to be riding and can limit your visibility on the road.

Therefore, we would like to recommend 'bossing your lane' – that is, taking a central road position, when you feel it necessary to do so. Carefully yet assertively occupy your lane will increase your visibility to other road users, particularly at T-junctions and other intersections.

2.Don’t curb crawl

A doors width clearance is sensible and don’t hug the curb either. Drains, potholes, and road debris mean that riding in the gutter can be dangerous and there is a lot more chance of punctures.

commuting and city riding3.stay away from your headphone

We all love tunes and sometimes a bit of musical morning motivation is needed, but save it until you've completed your journey. On the bike, your ears are an invaluable asset, and it's important to hear when vehicles are approaching as well as what's going on around you.

4.look further ahead

It is a tip that is universal to all forms of cycling-relatively plenty of riders have a fixed glance just forward of their wheel. Staying safe on the roads is mainly a game of anticipation, and a way to advance your anticipation is to tear your eyes away from your front wheel and look further ahead. It may be hard and queer to do firstly, but stick with it you will find a great benefit.

5.Assume car doors will open

Car doors are one of the most potential hazards facing the most riders, of course, including the commuting riders. Opening doors rock directly into the space that bikes occupy, and it is hard for riders to anticipate. Getting doored is a shockingly common occurrence. The only way to really refrain this from happening is to stay a good distance between yourself and parked cars. Sadly, if you have to squeeze through the door zone, slow down and take notice of the warning signs which include brake lights and taxi cab vacancy lights and so on. Remember to leave a door-side space whilst passing through any stopped car, including those parked ones.commuting and city riding

6.Wear a helmet

Helmets should never be optional equipment for rollerblading or riding.

These helmets provide the necessary or much-needed protection and safety in case of a fall or crash while riding a bicycle. A bicycle helmet can help save lives, which is why it is essential to wear them each time anyone decides to take a bicycle ride. Plus, there's no avoiding the fact that you are more likely to take a spill during certain times of a year. So it is essential to properly wear a bicycle helmet to fully achieve its benefits.

7.Be visible

Bicyclists are less visible at dawn and dusk by drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, in order to make sure your safety, you need a huge range of lights. A few bucks and a couple AA batteries will get you a 2.5- to 3-watt light that will help other people see you in the gloaming, but that won't cut it if you actually need to see where you are going. Spend the $60 to $75 for a rechargeable unit with a minimum of five watts. Riding trails at night requires even more power. Top-of-the-line lighting can cost $300 for 10 watts or more. Also, reflective clothing astronomically makes you more visible.

commuting and city ride8.Don’t box yourself in or tailgate vehicles

Try not to ride into a situation where you don’t have a clear exit. A good example of this is when you are approaching a red light, riding between rows of stationary or slow-moving traffic. Don't get trapped between vehicles as many drivers won't see you if you're sitting right next to them when the lights turn green.

Similarly, the stopping distance of other road users will usually be significantly better than yours, so always keep a sensible distance from the vehicle ahead.

Commuting by bike saves money, saves the environment, eases congestion and makes you healthier.