Whether you cycle through busy traffic to work everyday or you’re just an enthusiastic hobbyist, don't get caught out, knocked off and injured.
Last year figures released by the Department for Transport revealed that you are 17 times more likely to be killed on a bike than in a car in the UK.
Of course, nothing can completely prevent the worst from ever happening but so you can stay as safe as possible, here are the top five cycling hazards and what you can do to avoid them.
Hazards in the road
Yes, hazards quite literally IN the road. Things like puddles and lumps in the tarmac can easily destabilise something as small as a bicycle without looking immediately threatening.
Potholes are also a problem as not only could you come off your bike by ploughing into one, swerving to avoid it could send you into oncoming traffic.
Stay alert and make sure you have plenty of time to slow down safely and avoid the problem areas.
Drivers not seeing you
Cyclists are almost invisible to drivers. They’re small, quick and very easily concealed in a cars blind spot.
Most cyclist injuries occur when a driver turns into them or pulls out on them because they just haven’t noticed them.
Drivers should be careful and look out for cyclists but to give them the best possible chance, try not to do any dangerous manoeuvres like overtaking and wear high visibility clothes.
Mechanical faults
A bike is just like a car, it needs to be serviced occasionally and checked regularly to make sure the tyres are in good condition and the brakes are in full working order.
If you’re cycling along and your brakes fail to slow you down or one of your tyres blows, you could very easily be thrown off your bike.
If drivers or pedestrians aren’t quick enough to notice you, the condition of your bike could make the difference of whether or not you can avoid them yourself.
Dehydration
In the full hazy power of high summer, heat exhaustion and dehydration can creep up on you, especially when you’re exerting yourself on a bicycle.
Being dehydrated effects your concentration and your reaction time, meaning you’re much more likely to have an accident purely because you won't be able to notice hazards as effectively.
Drink plenty of water and if necessary, carry a bottle around with you in a rucksack on a particularly hot day.
Head injury
Always, always, ALWAYS wear a helmet. There is never an excuse not to wear one, even on a hot day when sweating into one seems like an unappealing prospect.
If you're knocked off your bike, the odds of your head hitting the ground first are high, as are the chances of fracturing your skull and being put into a coma you’d likely not wake up from.
Even if your journey is short, always strap up the most important part of your body, odds are it’ll save your life.
What to do if you've been in an accident?
Even if you’ve done all you can to stay safe while on your bike, someone else’s negligence could end up costing you a lot more than a new bike and helmet.
If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to compensation so contact a personal injury firm to find out.