There are seven types of road vehicles
in the Philippines: bus, truck, car, jeepney, tricycle, motorcycle,
and bicycle. Out of these seven, our favorite contraption, the
bicycle, is the most vulnerable.
If the bicycle bumps into the other
four wheeled vehicles, the bicycle rider is the loser because the
other five vehicles have more balance. Four wheeled vehicles are
also sturdier and the riders are shielded from impact by the vehicles
while a bicycle rider's body is exposed.
When it comes to a motorcycle versus
the bicycle, the motorcycle is bulkier and faster. So when impact
happens the bicycle rider will lose because the other vehicle is
harder and has the greater momentum.
But still the bicycle is a great
invention. It is fun to ride and gives us many health benefits.
Cycling is practically a cardiovascular exercise.
So how do we make ourselves safer while
we are riding our bikes?
1. Always check that the brakes are
working properly.
Your brakes are the most important
safety equipment you have on your bike. Others may emphasize the
importance of wearing a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. But the
first rule of bicycle safety is to not to get hit. If ever you get
hit by another vehicle it means that you messed up with your driving
and you are now suffering it's consequence. It is either: you saw an
approaching vehicle but you did not use your brakes, you pushed your
luck and tried to beat a red traffic light, or you counter flowed on
the other side of the road when you got no business of being there.
Remember that sharing the road goes both ways.
2. Make sure that your bicycle is well
lighted at night.
Again, I repeat, the first rule of
bicycle safety is not to get hit. Having blinkers, a front light,
and rear light will help other vehicles see you on the road so they
can avoid you. I have often encountered other cyclist on the road
without any light. You are cycling on the proper lane a bit fast at
20kph. You are confident that it is safe. And then suddenly
you see this other cyclist who is supposed to be cycling on the other
side of the road suddenly appear before you. Aside from
countering the traffic, they don't have any lights. If I wasn't alert, we could have crashed into each other.
It is always annoying
when some people has no regard for other people's rights and safety.
3. Wear a helmet
If all other precaution fails your
helmet will save you from some injuries. I only said some because
even motorcyclist who wear good helmets still die from collisions. If
the impact is very strong, your helmet will not save you. But still
wearing a helmet is very important.
There are some accidents where
collisions could not have been fatal if the rider is only wearing a
head protection. There are times when a helmet would have been enough
to cushion the impact of the rider's head hitting something and
prevent more serious injuries.
I was one riding a street where there
were so many trees with low hanging branches near the side of the
road. I pedaled on thinking that the branches were well clear from
my head. I was surprised when they scraped my helmet when I passed
by. I would have gone home with some severe head scrapes if I were
not wearing my helmet.
4. Don't be stubborn on the road
The cyclist favorite slogan is “Share
the Road”. It means be considerate when a cyclist is using the
road. Motorist should look out for them because they are very
vulnerable and fragile. And cyclist have every right to be on the
road and use roads because bicycles can be considered vehicles too.
But to be honest. When I was a newbie
cyclist, I did not know what the heck that slogan means.
And so, it maybe a good mantra, but
motorist, who are not also cyclist may not be aware and because of
that, may not observe it.
Don't be stubborn on the road. If a
motorist seem to be insisting to take a certain place on the road ahead of you, don't fight for it with your bicycle. Always assume that they are
not aware of cyclist rights. Don't let your sense of entitlement,
your pride get the best of you. Don't risk your body to just prove a
point.
A bumped car can always be replaced but
broken limbs and cracked head can never be.
5. Pray
Pray before you ride and while you
ride. If there is a deity out there who looks after the welfare of
human beings, you will gain his favor by praying.
