Bike Safety 101: How to lock up a safe and happy bike ride

Master Lock Offers Five Essential Cycling Safety Guidelines

DO YOU follow the rules of the road? Have you taught them to your kids? Very few follow these tips in our town. We do and of course, we get looked at like we are stupid.  SO ANNOYING! How about you and your town?

As temperatures rise, more people are pulling their bikes out of storage and hitting local trails and roadways for a ride around town. Yet, the fun of cycling can easily be derailed if your bike becomes a victim of all-too-common theft. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that more than 1.5 million bikes are stolen each year, according to Bicyclesource.com. Master Lock shares five essential tips for keeping your bike, and yourself, safe this season.

“Bike safety starts and ends with locking up your bicycle,” said Rebecca Smith, vice president, marketing for Master Lock. “Protecting your bike first and foremost allows you to focus on other safety guidelines to ensure an enjoyable riding experience.”

Follow these tips from Master Lock for a safe bicycling experience:

1. Select the right lock
   When looking at security solutions to protect your bike, it’s important to weigh your needs. Heavy duty U-bars, like Master Lock’s 8170D, offer top-notch security and are ideal if you don’t already have a bike lock. If you are in need of a security solution that can lock up multiple items, a long, thick cable lock like Master Lock’s 8428DPS adjustable locking cable may be a better solution. Keep in mind, the thicker the cable or bar, the more security that lock will provide. If you have trouble remembering combinations, consider a keyed cable lock.  If you hate carrying around more keys than necessary, an integrated, set-your-own password combination cable lock like Master Lock’s 8220D is ideal.  Use the free Master Lock Vault (www.masterlockvault.com) to store log-in and password information for your lock combinations, key codes, and other confidential data for easy access via the web or smart phone app.   
2. Gear up
   Wear the proper safety gear every time you go out for a ride. Regardless of where you’re riding or how short the ride will be, a bike helmet is always a must. Fitting your bike and clothing with reflectors or lights will ensure you can be easily spotted day or night.
3. Map it out
   Take time to familiarize yourself with the best bike routes in your city before heading out to avoid ending up on a dangerous trail or street. Consult an online mapping service, such as Google Maps, or your local transit authority or city website for an overview of streets with dedicated bike lanes, bike trails or other bike-friendly routes.
4. Remember the rules of the road And follow them! Even though you’re on a bike, you still have to abide by the same traffic laws as drivers. This includes stopping at stop signs, driving on the right side of the road, yielding to pedestrians and signaling a turn. 

The three primary arm signals you should know are:

·         Left turn: extend left arm straight out in the direction of the turn, parallel to the road

·         Right turn: extend your left upper-arm out to the left, parallel to the road and angle your forearm vertically upward

·         Stopping: extend your left upper arm out to the left, parallel to the road and angle your forearm vertically downward

5. Ride defensively
   Remember that your bicycle is a small, inconspicuous vehicle, so make sure you are noticed while riding. Whenever possible, ride in a bike lane while on the road and stay in a single file. Avoid traveling along the side of cars when passing through intersections – cars may turn in front of you without warning. Use caution when passing parked cars as occupants may not see you when opening doors or pulling out of parking spaces. Keep your hands over the brakes at all times so you can brake quickly if a hazard presents itself.

For more information on bike security solutions, please visit Master Lock’s website at www.masterlock.com or the Master Lock Facebook page at www.facebook.com/masterlock.  Visit www.masterlockvault.com to utilize the free, secure online data storage application and download a smart phone app for easy access on the go. 

Thanks to the sponsor for sending us a 8170D Master Lock Bike Security lock to review.  Once this lock is on your bike it won't be going anywhere!  We loved that this lock came with two heavy-duty, full-size keys.  Some of our previous locks came with half size keys that always seemed to get lost. This lock is handy for one of our oldest daughters who sometimes has to ride her bike to work.