Leaving your car in the garage and riding your bike to go shopping promotes good health and burns calories. It’s important to have a bike that’s road-ready for cycling. A bicycle is roadworthy if it has non-slip pedals with reflectors, a bicycle bell, a headlight, and a taillight. Both brakes—the foot brake and the hand brake—must function independently of each other. Retrospective reflectors round out the bicycle’s safety features.
Cycling Safely
Women who ride bicycles should secure the spokes with a net or plastic guard. This prevents long skirts or flared pants from getting caught in the spokes and causing a fall. Special bicycle helmets are available in stores for head protection. When purchasing a helmet, cyclists should look for the TÜV/GS, ANSI, or European Standard EN 1078 certification marks. This ensures they are on the safe side when it comes to head protection.
The helmet protects the head from the back of the head to the forehead. It does not restrict the field of vision and leaves the ears uncovered. An ideal helmet has a chin strap that can be opened with one hand and ensures a perfect fit. The helmet also has vents on the sides that allow for good ventilation. Reflective stickers complement the helmet’s features and enhance safety.
Proper Cycling Etiquette
Cyclists must obey the applicable traffic rules. These are the same as the rules that apply to drivers. Speed must be adjusted to the conditions. Inexperienced cyclists should ride more slowly for their own safety. Accidents can happen quickly, even if the cyclist is not at fault. In the event of an accident, wearing a bicycle helmet can help prevent serious injuries.
On the road, the cyclist maintains eye contact with other road users so she can keep a safe distance. She also watches out for parked cars whose drivers might open their doors without looking for her, posing a risk of an accident for cyclists. Safety is especially important when a child is riding on the bike. A child seat is permitted if the spokes are protected by a net or cover. The child seat must be mounted behind the saddle and is intended for transporting one child. Transporting more than one child on a bicycle is not permitted in Austria. Helmets are mandatory for children, including those riding on a bicycle.
