Our friends at the League of American Cyclists have spent countless hours making cycling safer for us all. We’ve listed some of our tips below, but you can learn even more by visiting: www.bikeleague.org/content/smart-cycling-tips-0

Five Steps for Safer Riding

1. Follow the Rules of the Road

• Ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists.
• Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction
  that you are traveling, but ride within that lane in the place that makes you safest. Learn when you should “take the lane” in order to force cars to slow down behind you or move fully out of your lane in order to pass.
• Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs,
  lights, and lane markings.
• Always look back and use hand and arm signals
  to indicate your intention to stop, merge or turn.

2. Be Visible

• Ride where drivers can see you.
• Wear brightly colored clothing at all times. For drivers to see you more quickly, wear your fluorescent and reflective bits on your moving body parts, to take advantage of the science of biomotion and the brain.
• At night, use a powered white front light and red rear light. It is NC law that cyclists use powered front and rear lights at night. Reflectors and reflective tape or clothing are also a good idea.

3. Be Predictable

• Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between
  parked cars.
• Make eye contact with motorists to let them
  know you are there.
• Do not ride on the sidewalk.

4. Anticipate Conflicts

• Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared
  to take evasive action.
• Learn braking and turning techniques to
  avoid crashes.
• Be extra alert at intersections.

5. Wear a Helmet

• Make sure that the helmet fits on top of your
  head, not tipped back or forward.
• After a crash or any impact that affects your
  helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately.