What is the best way for me to be safe while riding my bike in the morning?

bike helmets youtube image

Lirijeta~

I want to start bike riding every morning about between at 7am for an hour. I haven't went bike riding since I was a young teenager and I never wore a helmet or any kind of elbow/knee pads. I live in a busy area (Staten Island, New York City) and I want to make sure that I am always safe.

Other than a good helmet, what would I need?

Answer
Quote, "Other than a good helmet, what would I need?"

Answer: Knowledge! Class starts now. Read everything. Watch every You Tube video. If I could give only two words of advice..."BE SEEN!"

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/14234/knowledge_is_best_protection_for_bicyclist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIr3mI96FZk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLu0DHPeYm8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

Don't be a "gutter bunny". Always ride away from the curb at least 3 to 4 feet. 1) Gets you seen. 2) Avoids road debris. Always go around parked cars leaving 4 to 5 feet of space out of the "door zone" should some fool open a car door without looking.

What to do when your bike path forces you to use the crosswalk?

Jake F

There is a "bike path" but have to cross a lot of intersections.

Cars are allowed to right-turn on red.

Forced to use the crosswalk unless I do something like jump the curb into the street to be on the other side of the "right turners" which is not always possible or safe.

Or annoy people by shining my helmet light in their eyes...

Presence of a bike path means I can't be in the road and I wouldnt want to.

(because nobody else does around here, and roads such as this especially)

If I sat at the light long enough for it to be clear, I would never cross. Not like I am racing to get home but just want to get crossing over with.

I suppose crossing at a different time of day would be possible.

And yet it is the closest thing around here to infrastructure...

Ride totally in the road? Nobody else does. I do on certain roads.

Answer
Your quote, "Presence of a bike path means I can't be in the road and I wouldn't want to."

Your bike path or a designated "bicycle lane"? If you don't learn how to ride properly on the streets - as a "vehicle" should - you'll be a scared little chicken all your life. Yes, a bicycle is designated as a "vehicle" and is legally allowed on streets & roads everywhere - except Interstate Highways & other "limited access roads". Not the answer you want to hear, but the truth. Got a Cycling Savvy class in your area? Take ALL the classes. More links below...

http://cyclingsavvy.org/regions/
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/voices/in-the-news/115410-knowledge-is-best-protection-for-bicyclist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kw

"Ride totally in the road?" YES! It's the LAW. In most places, it's ILLEGAL to ride on sidewalks.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Title Post: What is the best way for me to be safe while riding my bike in the morning?
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown

Thanks For Coming To My Blog