People perceive cycling as unsafe. When you think of an accident involving a vehicle and a bicycle, you will expect that the person on the bike is in more danger than the vehicle's occupants. Everything from the size of the bike to the amount of the cyclist’s body that is exposed puts cyclists in a more dangerous position.


Bicycle safety is paramount if you want to avoid injuries and damages that can be too intense. The fact is that motorists can avoid many crashes if they adhere to cycling safety and road rules.


Riding a bicycle is healthy, and it's a way of having fun. Some people also love riding because it makes them feel independent. However, it is vital to remember that a bicycle is a vehicle and safety precautions should be taken into consideration.


In this article, you will learn about risk factors associated with biking and cycling safety tips. Read on to find out everything you need to do to be safe from bicycle accidents.

Risk factors associated with cycling

Cycling has several risk factors that can sometimes be tragic. However, cyclists have indicated low mortality rates when compared with other types of accidents. Here are the risk factors associated with cycling. 


Physical trauma

Cyclists can suffer from physical trauma that includes head injuries and injuries resulting from collisions and falls. Most cyclists lose their lives when they get involved in an accident with a car.


Motorists and cyclists are all to be blamed for causing collisions due to neglecting road rules. Most accidents between cyclists and motorists occur due to car-dooring. However, there have been accidents that do not involve another person or another vehicle.


Most bicycle collisions happen during the day, but one still needs to have all the equipment required to ensure night cycling safety. For instance, you would need bicycle safety lights to allow for visibility in the dark. 


Overuse or Frequent-use injuries

When cycling, you will be forced to assume a particular posture that may cause injuries to the body after cycling for too long. Most people sustain injuries o their neck, knees, and on the groin or the buttocks area. Women are the most vulnerable to assume a poor position and sustain overuse injuries.


Most cyclists get injuries on their knees and because of the following factors:

★  Adjusting the clipless pedals the wrong way

★  Having to cycle for long hours on hilly terrain, they do not have enough training and experience with such environments.

★   Using inappropriate cycling gear will make the cycling hard that it makes the knees hurt. For instance, one should use a lower gear when climbing and a high gear when descending a hill or riding on a flat surface.


Like chronic nerve damage, overuse injuries can happen when one rides for long periods without taking a break.


Some of the damages that may occur include damage to the palm’s ulnar nerve, genitourinary tract, and the wrist’s carpal tunnel due to overuse. While some bicycles have been designed to reduce pressure from the handlebars and the saddle, some bikes do not have these features. Therefore, one needs to be careful while using them.


Overuse differs from one individual to another. It depends on one's experience, the terrain, and the level of body fitness.


A person starting out riding is at a high risk of suffering an overuse injury; therefore, they should be careful when increasing the length and their cycling frequency. Starting at an hour or two per day will help beginners from sustaining injuries.


The signs of overuse injuries are pain and numbness, although this should not be confused with bilateral muscular pain that is normal pain that results from training. 


Saddle related risks

Saddles come in different sizes, shapes, and positions. These factors determine the possibility of causing an injury.


A high positioned saddle leads to posterior knee pain. On the other hand, very low saddles affect the anterior knee. A saddle that has an incorrect position can make one suffer from muscle imbalance. You should ensure that you maintain a 25 to 35 degrees knee angle to be safe from any injuries.


If the seat exerts pressure on the perineum, one can become sexually impotent. Therefore, people need to ensure that their seat is sized correctly and well-fitted. An improper seat size can also cause extreme cases like prudential nerve entrapment, leading to perineal pain.


A bicycle seat that does not have a protruding nose is the most recommended because it reduces pressure on the groin area, reducing the risk of health complications. 


Air pollution exposure

Cycling exposes the cyclist to excessive air pollution agents, especially when riding on a busy road. However, some people argue that vehicle uses are exposed to more pollution because the car's interior has little air circulation. Cyclists are exposed to more pollution because they are exposed to direct ventilation.


Cyclists will suffer from inhaling air pollution agents like carbon monoxide and lead released from motor vehicles. Furthermore, cyclists spend more time traveling the same distance as the vehicle; therefore, they are the most exposed.


Exposure to harsh weather elements

A cyclist exposes the whole body to the environment since bicycles do not have any kinds of covers. The weather can be harsh, especially to one's skin. When riding under the sun, you will suffer the risk of getting sunburns and heat rash. To avoid such complications, you need to wear a bicycle helmet that protects the face from harsh weather. Also, ensure that you put on warm enough clothing to protect yourself from the wind that can cause a cold.