Posted August 1, 2008 3:37am

If you have ever wondered, why ride a bike and not a car? The answers are more than obvious. Road bikes and or any other kind of bike like mountain bikes are just as dependable as a means of transportation as cars are. Nevertheless, the cold facts are that bicycles fight pollution where cars do not. You can enjoy your commute much better and not have to fight traffic. You can save money and get fit in the process too! Here are just a few basic cycling tips for those of you who intend to give cycling a try in the near future:

Share the road

There are how-tos to everything in life and bicycle commuting is no different. So the tips given here will only help to inspire him or her to be the very best they can be while out cycling. One of the very first things to know and learn about bicycle commuting is realizing that you have to share the road. You do not own the road. The same laws that go for motorists go for cyclists. You must ride on the right side of the road with traffic and not against it. Respect the rights of motorists the same as you would yourself. Obey all the traffic signals and signs.

Wear protective clothing

The wearing of a helmet is necessary for the overall safety of a cyclist But other things that are just as equally important is the clothing and or rain gear that a cyclist wears while he or she is out cycling as a rule. It does not matter if their trip is for transportation or recreation. First, wear bright colors, so others can see you. Secondly wear comfortable tight filling clothes that absorb moisture. For instance, the popular under armour clothing line that promises to help transport temperature of the sports person by use of a special material. Some of the most popular of cycling clothing materials do include:

• Lycra and spandex
• Wool
• Nylon
• Cool-max
• Gore-tex

These specific materials are great for different weather conditions and help the cyclist to adjust accordingly. Appropriate rain gear can be a waterproof jacket and pants, as well as waterproof gloves and socks.

Make necessary checks, fittings and adjustments

Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that your brakes are in good working condition. Also, make sure that your bike is comfortable for you and you are comfortable with it. Select the bike that is definitely for your needs. Some tips for advanced cyclists are that you should have a white light mounted on the front of your bicycle and a red reflector to the rear area of your bike. Be as visible at night as possible. If you plan to do a long trip by bicycle. It is wise to incorporate stretches into your commute.

Keep your bicycle in good riding condition

Bicycle maintenance is just important a thing as is wearing a helmet. It is something that is necessary to maintain good safety while out cycling on the road.

There are different brake types for bikes. Know your bike as well as you know yourself. If your brakes make a scraping noise, this indicates that you need to sand the metal from the brake pads or replace them. By maintaining the right tire pressure, you will be able to prevent some flats. However, flats do happen and this is due to glass, nails, and anything sharp. Most flats are easily repaired with a patch kit. Know your bike and get regular inspections done. Bring tools with you to fix things that you know you can fix.


Bicycle Safety Practice

Your cycle is a very precious investment to you on all fronts. Good bicycle safety practice begins and ends with you. Make sure to lock your bike in a place that is very visible and that is close to pedestrian traffic. Do not lock your bike behind big objects that obstruct visibility. Also if you park somewhere at night make sure that there are many streetlights around. The safest thing to attach your bike to with a lock is something that is metal and not movable by a long shot. Use u-locks only to secure your bike. Because they are hard to pick and are made out of heavy tempered steel that is impossible to break. If you are going to park your bike overnight, it is wise to use both a u-lock and a cable lock combination for added no theft protection.