Bikes are the next best thing since the invention of sliced bread. Not only can you use them as a form of transportation you can also use them to get rid of all those extra calories too! From Amsterdam to Toronto, there are now bike paths for people who want to commute without creating a burden on the environment. Let us see how you can learn to enjoy bike riding while being perfectly safe at the same time:
- Always wear protective gear
Bikes can be a bit wobbly if you don’t know how to ride them. At the same time, even highly experienced bike riders can fall and injure themselves. This is why you must learn to wear all the protective gear that this sport requires. You should always put on a helmet, a pair of elbow guards, and a couple of knee guards too. Make sure that your bike has a powerful headlamp and reflectors and backlights in case a vehicle can’t see you in the dark. You should always wear comfortable clothing that is not too tight, nor lose enough to get into the spokes and the wheels. Finally, you should always keep a water bottle with you in case you get dehydrated.
- Learn to ride the bike properly
If you don’t know how to ride a bike don’t venture onto the main roads with other experienced bikers. First, you should learn to ride the bike properly. Get trainer wheels if you have to do so. And get rid of them one by one. There is no shame in using training wheels and riding a bike off the road, at least until you learn the sport perfectly well. The good thing to know here is that it’s a lifelong skill that doesn’t perish with age. If you know how to ride a bike once you will always remember how to do so.
- Get a bike that is fit for your size
Buying a bike too large for you will serve little if any purpose. At the same time, it will not only be difficult to ride, but downright dangerous as well. Don’t try and keep up with the pros but get a bike that fits your size perfectly. You should also invest in a comfortable seat and foot paddles.
- Make sure your bike is in working order
Don’t try to ride a bike when its brakes are not working or if it has a puncture. You should also avoid riding your bike if there is too little air in the tires. Learn to repair a flat tire in the field and also make sure that you have a proper puncture kit and pump every time you get on your bike. You should also ensure that your machine is well oiled and all the gears (both front and back) are working flawlessly.
Now that you know how to ride a bike safely, let us take a quick look at what benefits you can derive from your ride:
- Tone up your body and protect yourself from many illnesses
You will be able to lose calories and tone up your body. You will also save yourself from a veritable host of chronic diseases and conditions such as heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. All of these illnesses are a direct cause of obesity, which in turn is caused by our sedentary lifestyle. Best of all you will have plenty of stamina and will both look and feel great!
- Use a gas-powered bike
If you are new to the sport, you might consider getting and using a gas-powered bike. This is because such hybrid bikes are both easier to use and also considerably more secure too. In fact, you can now turn your simple bike into a full-fledged gas-powered one just by installing a bicycle motor kit. So, why not give it a try?
- Conclusion
You can ride a bike safely and easily provided you have learned how to ride one in the first place. You should always use protective gear and make sure that your bike is road-worthy. You might also consider getting a bicycle motor kit for your bike to make it safer and easier to ride.
