As winter gives way to spring, many
decide that it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. For a
lower-impact workout or even for more mobility and chances for scenery, the
purchase of a new bicycle can be just the thing. Today however, there’s a bike
type and a raft of accessories to fit every purpose imaginable, which can be
confusing. Furthermore, an increase in bike accidents over the past couple of decades has led to increased
regulation on cycling in many areas. We have therefore developed the below
guide to help answer some common questions you may have when getting ready to
hit the road.
How ( & Where) Do You Ride?
Are you looking to enter road events, try
downhill racing, commute, or just casually pedal your neighborhood looking for
a better cup of coffee? Whatever your intended use, there is a type of bike
that will be a good fit for you. Some broad categories of bikes are:
●
Road bikes: Best for
pavement, these bikes are good for fitness, long distance rides, touring, and
racing. Usually lightweight, they typically have drop-bar handlebars that put you in an aerodynamic position for going fast.
●
Mountain bikes: Rugged
bikes with shock-absorbing features and strong brakes, these bikes are made for
dirt trails and off-road riding. Typically with straight handlebars, they may
come specialized as downhill racers or simply as fun bikes for the trail.
●
Hybrid bikes: These
bikes combine aspects of both road and mountain bikes to create well-rounded
bikes that do it all. Usually thin tires and lighter frames of road bikes mixed
with straight handlebars and more comfortable seats of mountain bikes, they
will have options that lean more one way or another so you can really find a
style that suits you.
●
Specialty bikes: An
extremely broad category encompassing folding, recumbent, electric, cargo,
cruisers, and many other bikes. If none of the broader categories above work
for you, consider specialty bikes to see if there’s one that is a fit.
Decide on Your Helmet
Most jurisdictions in the US
have some form of laws on helmets for bike riding – be sure and check with your
local state, county, or municipality for the laws in your area. In
2014, bike riders accounted for 2% of all traffic deaths, which should be sufficient encouragement to choose your
helmet carefully. Mountain bike helmets typically feature visors, enhanced
rear-head coverage, a firm fit and may even include full face masks, while road
bike helmets generally don’t have visors but focus more on aerodynamics and
minimizing weight. Recreational helmets usually have visors, are less
expensive, and more generic.
Accessories
Accessories are even more varied and
complex than are bike types. At a minimum, consider a lock, reflectors (usually built in), reflective clothing, and lights, particularly if you plan
to bike at night or in the early morning. Repair kits, pumps, water bottle
holders and/or hydration backpacks, and saddle bags can be essential if you
plan on long distance rides. Child seats, baskets, fenders, bike racks, mirrors
(crucial for city riders), are other accessories that depend on specifically
how you plan to use your bike.
Get out there!
Whatever your intended use, there’s no
time like the present to get started riding. The biking community needs you:
studies have found that the more people there are riding bikes, the safer it is
for everyone and that cities with lots of bike riders have lower crash rates
for all road users. Hope to see you out there soon!
Thank you, Christiana Scott
Community Liaison & Blog Manager
Dunkley Injury Law Attorneys at https://www.dunkleyinjurylaw.com/ for writing this valuable and important article.
Thank you, Christiana Scott
Community Liaison & Blog Manager
Dunkley Injury Law Attorneys at https://www.dunkleyinjurylaw.com/ for writing this valuable and important article.
Dunkley Law Personal Injury Lawyers have spent the last ten years
successfully representing clients in Henderson, Nevada and Salt Lake City,
Utah.
(702) 413-6565 |
Sources
http://files.meetup.com/1468133/Evidence%20on%20Why%20Bike-Friendly.pdfhttp://www.cycle-helmets.com/safety_in_numbers.pdf
Photo from the Santa Barbara Independent: http://www.independent.com
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