As interest in green transportation increases and the need for physical activity due to prolonged office work grows, more and more people are accepting bicycles as a commuting tool. Cycling not only provides a more flexible way to commute but also serves as a convenient mode of short-distance travel during leisure time, offering greater convenience and benefits to both physical and mental health. So, what should we pay attention to during actual cycling, and what products can we choose? Today, we’ll briefly introduce some essentials for you.
Unlike public transportation, bicycles offer better maneuverability. Cars may get stuck in traffic, but bicycles are more flexible on the road and don’t require waiting. In many cases, cycling is even faster than taking buses or the subway. Additionally, cycling provides an aerobic workout, making it an excellent form of exercise for office workers.
The price of a bicycle can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of yuan, with users having a wide variety of options based on the grade of the bike’s components. Naturally, there are also many accessories available for bicycles. Today, we’ll mainly focus on the safety aspect and introduce some commonly used products—affordable but absolutely essential for your ride.
Note: According to 2004 statistics, China saw 517,889 traffic accidents that year, including 9,827 involving bicycles, resulting in 2,000 deaths and 9,171 injuries, with a high proportion of fatalities. This highlights the need for both cyclists and drivers to remain vigilant about cycling safety.
Road quality is poor—shock absorption reduces injury
Although many urban roads separate bike lanes from vehicle lanes, the quality of the roads and their design mean that bike lanes aren’t as safe as we might think. We’ve captured some photos to show you some typical issues.
Therefore, when riding on such roads, it’s crucial to pay attention to your bike’s braking system, or brakes as they’re commonly called, to avoid sudden incidents. A high-speed collision with a pedestrian or a fall can be very dangerous.
In addition to regularly checking your bike’s braking performance, you can also opt for items like handlebar grips or gloves, which can significantly reduce pressure on your palms while riding. If you’ve ever ridden without gloves for an extended period, you’ve likely experienced palm soreness—that’s due to the lack of effective cushioning for the pressure on your hands.
Normally, about 30% of the pressure during riding is concentrated on the hands. If you’re putting too much force on your hands, it may be due to incorrect riding posture. When cycling, you should keep your center of gravity close to your abdomen and use your body weight to pedal more, reducing pressure on your hands and knee strain.
Night riding is dangerous—visibility gear is a must
Riding at night is a relatively risky situation. As shown in the photo, if you’re riding in poorly lit areas, especially where vehicle lanes aren’t separated, fast-moving vehicles may not notice bicycles ahead.
In such cases, consider getting a bike taillight. As the photo shows, a taillight can significantly increase your “visibility,” making you noticeable from a distance—safety first.
At the same time, to improve your own visibility, you can also get auxiliary lighting devices like flashlights. If the road surface is bumpy, you can anticipate it in advance and slow down, reducing the risk of tire blowouts or falls.
Of course, besides these light-emitting devices, reflective strips—similar to those on traffic police uniforms—can also reflect light to alert distant vehicles at night. Sometimes, under strong high beams, reflective strips can be highly effective. Cyclists who ride at night must pay attention to this.
Cycling helmets—the seatbelts of bikes
While we can use some equipment to enhance our safety while riding, no one can guarantee avoiding all accidents. Therefore, we should also pay attention to protecting ourselves during regular rides.
On roads with heavy vehicle traffic, we should maintain a safe speed to give ourselves enough time to react. If your bike’s brake pads haven’t been replaced in a long time and you’re riding at high speed, stopping becomes as challenging as a car making a sudden stop—you could easily collide with obstacles ahead.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a cycling helmet—if you fall, it’s the only thing that can truly protect you.
You might not think about wearing a helmet during regular rides. In areas with good road conditions (separated vehicle lanes, smooth roads, good visibility), a helmet may not seem necessary. But in most cases, where riding conditions aren’t ideal, a helmet becomes crucial—it’s as important as a seatbelt.
You might not think about wearing a helmet during regular rides. In areas with good road conditions (separated vehicle lanes, smooth roads, good visibility), a helmet may not seem necessary. But in most cases, where riding conditions aren’t ideal, a helmet becomes crucial—it’s as important as a seatbelt.
Practicality over aesthetics—safety comes first
When choosing bike accessories, moderation is key. Aside from component quality, weight is another factor in bike pricing. Adding too many accessories only increases the load without necessarily improving your ride.
Opt for fewer flashy accessories and leave more room for the safety gear mentioned above—greatly boosting your riding safety is what matters most. Moreover, these essential accessories are often cheaper than the flashy ones, and their practicality is on a completely different level.
We hope this perspective helps you become aware of potential safety hazards while cycling. While enjoying the fun of riding, don’t forget to prioritize your safety. Wishing everyone a joyful cycling experience.