Once you get on your bike and step out of your door, you become a part of the road. First and foremost, you must obey traffic rules to ensure your safety and keep your journey full of endless joy. If you act recklessly or disregard traffic rules, the consequences can be unimaginable—causing great harm to both yourself and others. Your ride may come to an abrupt halt, and in severe cases, you could be permanently separated from this vibrant sport that allows you to connect directly with nature.
In urban traffic, just like other regular cyclists, we must follow traffic rules. Although we ride road bikes—which differ from standard bicycles—we are still members of the urban road system and must abide by the rules.
This article is not about traffic laws or a promotional brochure for them. Instead, it focuses on what you, as a road bike rider, need to pay attention to. While these things may seem simple, cultivating them into a habit—and being constantly reminded of them while riding—is not so easy.
Let’s start by describing the relationship between you and your road bike. First, you must have a road bike that fits you properly. Why? From a cycling perspective, riding a bike that doesn’t fit your body not only affects your comfort but also directly impacts your control over the bike. To ensure basic safety on the road, you must be able to handle your bike with ease. A practical way to measure whether a road bike fits you is to stand it vertically on a flat surface, straddle the top tube with your right leg, and place both feet on the ground. Then measure the distance from your crotch to the top tube—this should be at least one inch (approximately 2.54 cm, or about the width of two fingers). If you meet this measurement, you can use the bike. Now, let’s check the saddle height. Many people think road bike saddles should be set very high, allowing you to ride with your hips elevated—but that’s incorrect. The general method is as follows: find a wall or ask someone to help you. Sit firmly on the saddle, hold onto the wall or have someone assist you to maintain balance, ensuring the bike is upright. Now, place your right foot on the lowest pedal position, with your heel flat on the pedal. Adjust the saddle height until your leg can extend straight comfortably.
Now that the bike is adjusted, the next step is to check several key parts for issues and ensure all necessary tools and gear are ready.
First, check if the brakes are responsive and if the brake pads are excessively worn.
Second, check if the wheels are loose. If you have quick-release mechanisms, verify their tightness. The correct way to test this is to lift the front wheel and firmly strike it with a closed fist. If the wheel wobbles, recheck the quick-release. When the lever is in the correct position, you should see the word "CLOSE" (meaning "closed") printed on the side.
Third, check if any nuts or bolts are loose.
Fourth, are the tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure?
Fifth, do you have a water bottle filled with water? If everything checks out, you’re good to go—hit the road!
As you leave home, you’re probably feeling excited, right? Don’t rush to speed up—start with a slow, rhythmic pace. This benefits your body, your bike, and your safety. For your body, you’re just getting started; your muscles, organs, and breathing are still in a calm state. A sudden burst of speed can lead to cramps, shortness of breath, or muscle spasms. A steady, rhythmical pace helps your body gradually adapt, engaging your muscles and internal organs. For your bike, this approach helps uncover potential issues you might overlook at home—allowing you to prevent problems before they happen. And isn’t that good for your safety? Your bike and body have both passed these checks—aren’t you safer now? How do you control your speed? What’s a suitable pace? Generally, keeping it between15–25 kilometersper hour is ideal. Different fitness levels may require adjustments. In truth, this phase is like a warm-up—a prelude to serious cycling. It helps you adjust your state, and don’t underestimate this preparation—it greatly influences your ride ahead.
From your home to the outskirts, you’ll be riding in the city. Obey traffic laws, stay close to the side of the road, stop at red lights, go at green lights, and remember: slow down, look twice, then cross. These are basic precautions but the best principles for safe riding. If you’re riding with companions, don’t take up the entire bike lane. If the lane is narrow, ride in a single-file line. Avoid weaving (“S”-shaped riding)—it’ll only lead to a fall. Also, avoid sudden turns or hard braking. Sharp turns surprise drivers or fellow riders behind you, while hard braking often stems from poor judgment or showing off (thinking it looks cool). In reality, it damages your bike significantly: tires wear unevenly, brake pads erode faster, and even major components can suffer. Worst of all are hidden damages—like to brake cables or tires. Sudden moves also annoy drivers or fellow riders. Emergencies are exceptions, of course.
One of the biggest concerns during a ride is a flat tire. Just as you’re happily enjoying the thrill of cycling, you suddenly feel the tire go soft—or hear a hissing or deflating sound. Your mood plummets, and even if you continue, it’s never as enjoyable as before. While flats aren’t entirely unavoidable, proper preparation and technique can greatly reduce their likelihood. This section offers more tips to help minimize such incidents.
If you get a flat, stay calm and slowly reduce speed, pulling over to the side. Sometimes, a flat can make the bike hard to control, but gentle braking and careful balancing will help you stop safely. Common causes include glass, stones, nails, wood chips, etc. Internally, the issue usually lies with the tube’s interaction with the rim’s tape.
While riding, always watch for debris like stones, glass, nails, or wood chips. Take a slow, “C-shaped” route around them—they can easily puncture your tire and damage the inner tube. For obstacles like train tracks, gaps (under 20 cm), potholes, or unavoidable rocks, the best solution is to bunny-hop over them. This is the most effective way to protect both you and your bike—but it takes practice. If you can’t hop, brake early and proceed at the safest speed possible.
Riding with companions is different from going solo. As a group, you rely on teamwork to ensure everyone’s safety. If you’re behind someone, maintain a safe distance, and don’t align your front wheel with their rear wheel—that makes control difficult in emergencies. When passing, alert the person ahead and pass on their left (never the right). Hand signals are crucial in group rides—they quickly convey intentions, especially at turns or when warning about obstacles. The lead rider must signal hazards immediately, and others must relay the message down the line until the last rider. The group’s path should follow the leader’s in smooth “C-shaped” turns—avoid sharp maneuvers.
Above all, prioritize your safety. Always wear a helmet—it protects your life. Don’t forget glasses to shield your eyes. Once you have the gear, the most important thing is your safety mindset.