Cycling is a fun hobby and is an excellent form of exercise. Like anything else, cycling comes with its fair share of risks. That’s especially true when riding your bike on the roads. When cycling on public streets, you need to keep your eyes peeled for common hazards. We’re all about safety, which is why we’re clueing you in on the biggest road hazards for cyclists.
Rain and Wet Roads
Cycling in the rain is hazardous due to slick roads. The water combines with oil residue left behind from vehicles to form a greasy film. If you’re out cycling and it starts to rain, bear in mind that the roads will become slippery. If you can’t find a place to pull over, then cycle very cautiously.
If you have to make a turn, drive your weight into the outside pedal. That will give your tires a firm grip on the road to increase your stability. The safest option is to find somewhere to pull over to avoid injury.
Manhole Covers
A dislodged or damaged manhole cover poses a severe hazard to cyclists. If the maintenance hole cover isn’t properly fixed, it can be precarious. When your bike tires run over it, you can spin out or crash due to the instability. Utility hole covers can also come dislodged from vehicles and become projectiles.
When cycling, it’s a good idea not directly to run over maintenance hole covers if you can avoid them. If you can’t get out of their way, try to pedal slowly with your feet ready at the brakes. Sometimes dislodged utility hole covers can be deceiving and look fine. Make sure to approach them all with caution.
Potholes
Another significant hazard for cyclists is potholes. Running directly into a deep pothole can send your bicycle flying into the air, with you not far behind. The best course of action is to swerve around potholes, but sometimes, that’s not an option.
If you can’t avoid running into a pothole, there’s a technique you can use to ensure your safe passage. It’s a light hop that you can do with both wheels:
- Once you approach the pothole, pull your weight up to pop your front wheel over the crack.
- As you pass over the crack, pop the rear wheel over the same one.
If you follow this technique, your wheels will safely hop over the crack instead of running into it. This technique can take a bit of practice, but it’s well worth mastering.
So, there are the biggest hazards for cyclists. We hope that you can use this guide to stay safe on the road.
