bike safety

Do You Always Wear a Bike Helmet?
Poll

Do You Always Wear a Helmet When You Bike?

This weekend, I did the unthinkable: I rode my bicycle without wearing a helmet.
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This weekend, I did the unthinkable: I rode my bicycle without wearing a helmet. It's not something I normally do, and it's certainly not something I'd encourage to another cyclist. But this weekend was a little different; it was my neighborhood's annual street festival and more than 10 blocks were closed to automobile traffic. It allowed people on bikes, foot, and skates to leisurely wind through the neighborhood without worrying about cars. I rode at a very slow pace, stopping a lot to check out the various booths along the way. I also noticed that almost every cyclist at the festival was also without a helmet.

When it comes to long rides, fast rides, or any ride that involves sharing the road with a car, my helmet is always on. To be honest, with the exception of this annual street festival, I'm never without my helmet. I'd rather look dorky than take any chances at hurting myself.

How about you? Do you always wear a helmet when you bike, or does it come off during leisurely rides?

Tips For Riding a Bike Again
2011 Summer

How to Ease Back Onto Your Bike

Now that the weather is warming up, are you getting back into a sport that wasn't suited for colder days?
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bikingNow that the weather is warming up, are you getting back into a sport that wasn't suited for colder days? My Memorial Day weekend activity of choice was biking, and let me tell you, it was good to get my biking muscles in motion again after such a long Winter!

But just like any other sport, it's not all sunshine and roses when you go from zero to full steam ahead . . . literally. I hopped on my bike and ended up going on the longest, steepest route. Needless to say I learned my lesson. Here are some primary annoyances (and lessons learned!) from my bicycling excursion this past weekend.

  1. Pump it up: As soon as I hopped on my bike, I realized the tires were low in air since my bike hasn't moved in the past three to five months — fail. It's always good to have your own portable compact air pump. That way you aren't stuck having to find a gas station or bike shop. And if your bike is extra special, you'll have all the pump attachments you need when you want to go for a ride.
  2. Get out your screwdriver: Without revealing too much of my bike flair, I have — ahem — some bells, and other accessories adorning my bike. As soon as I took off for my bike ride, everything started to move around and almost fell off! Note to self: quickly take a screwdriver to all of your bike's gear to make sure things are tightened up after sitting all Winter long.

Keep reading for more of my gripes!

Bike Safety Gear
Layout

Gadgets, Gizmos, and Apparel to Keep You Safe on Your Bike

With the hefty price of gas these days, National Bike to Work Week couldn't have come at a better time.
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With the hefty price of gas these days, National Bike to Work Week couldn't have come at a better time. Biking to work is not only good for the environment because it helps to reduce greenhouse emissions, but you're also raising awareness about the presence of cyclists on the streets. When biking, make sure to exercise caution and use common sense to ensure your safety on the roads. Here are some cycling accessories to keep you safe when transporting yourself from A to B.

Clockwise from top left: Recycled Bicycle Tube Reflective Pant Leg Straps ($17), Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Convertible Jacket ($100), Giro Skyla Bike Helmet ($40), Mirrycle Incredibell Brass Duet Bicycle Bell ($10), Planet Bike 3044 Blaze 1-Watt LED Headlight ($36), Sunlite 4 Piece Bicycle Reflector Set ($4), Garmin Edge 800 Wireless Bike Computer ($450), Light & Motion VIS 360 ($169)

Urban Biking Products
fitness gear

Your Urban Biking Essentials

As someone who regularly bikes in the city ("the city" being San Francisco), there are a few things that I always have on me.
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As someone who regularly bikes in the city ("the city" being San Francisco), there are a few things that I always have on me. Things that I think work well for anyone who bikes in an urban environment. First things first, safety — both for you and for your bike. That means bike lights, a helmet, and a lock to secure your bike with. When it comes to actual riding, I opt for cute moisture wicking tops and padded bike shorts that are discreet enough to wear under my everyday clothes. And because you never know what you'll get while out, having a basket or small bike bag is a must. To find out more about an item, or to buy it for yourself, click on the image above.

Pearl Izumi - W Quest Short 11 RLX Ralph Lauren Ultra Sheer Cap-Sleeved Tee MIO - Pop-Up Bicycle Basket
Shop This Look
How to Lock Up a Bike
Bike

The How-Tos of Locking Up Your Bike

As someone who lives on her bike, I get seriously bummed whenever I hear that someone's bike was stolen.
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As someone who lives on her bike, I get seriously bummed whenever I hear that someone's bike was stolen. The former first daughter — Jenna Bush Hager — and her husband had their mountain bikes stolen from their garage last Friday. Making matters worse, the Trek bikes were pretty pricey, totaling $3,500. Not a cheap loss by any means. This whole episode reminded me of the importance of properly locking and storing your bike, something I've become pretty good about. And though I may sound a little paranoid, I live in an urban area where bike theft is not only common, it's rampant.

Here are a few reminders when it comes to proper locking technique:

  • Take extra precautions and store your bike inside of your home. Based on personal experience, I know that it's a lot easier for thieves to get into a garage, which is why I keep my bike in my hallway. If space is an issue and you have to keep your bike outside or in the garage, still make a point to lock it up. A friend of mine locks her bike to her backyard stairwell railing.
  • Start off with a secure lock. The more important your bike is to you, the better the lock should be. All bike shop owners I know say to invest in a U-lock because these protect best against bolt cutters — Kryptonite is known as making some of the best out there. I also have locking skewers for my wheels and bike seat so they can't be removed with a simple Allen wrench. At the very least, ditch the quick release skewer on your front wheel so it's not an easy target for thieves, or make sure to always lock that front wheel. Also, the less wiggle room in your lock, the harder it will be for a thief to fit a jack inside of it.

To find out the rest of my tips, read more

Pictures of the Singer Pink Biking in Berlin
Travel

A FitSugar PSA: Wear a Bike Helmet For Goodness Sake!

While Pink was in Berlin for her Funhouse Summer Carnival tour, she still managed to take time off to enjoy the city.
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While Pink was in Berlin for her Funhouse Summer Carnival tour, she still managed to take time off to enjoy the city. We LOVE that Pink's idea of fun is riding a bike, especially while traveling, because it's a great way to check out a new city and get in some exercise at the same time. Still, I gotta ask, "Pink, where the heck is your helmet?"

Allow me to just rant a little bit and remind all of you how very important it is to wear a helmet while biking. A bike helmet may not be the most fashionable accessory, but it could be what saves you from sustaining a serious injury if you're ever in an accident. And even though you might be a safe biker, you have to account for the fact that not everyone on the road is. In a sense, a bike helmet is akin to wearing a seat belt in a car. And because accidents happen, better safe than sorry, right? If I still haven't convinced you, take into account a report stating that that helmet laws have cut the amount of bicycle related deaths in children by 50 percent.

Bike Helmet That Stinks When Damaged
fitness gear

Bike Helmet That Stinks When Damaged: Cool or Not?

Anytime your bike helmet hits a hard surface it becomes less effective at protecting your noggin.
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Anytime your bike helmet hits a hard surface it becomes less effective at protecting your noggin. Hit it hard or often enough and you'll render it completely useless — sometimes without even knowing until it's too late. Well, researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute have come up with a solution in the form of a helmet stink bomb. If the protective material in your helmet is compromised, an odorous gas will be released alerting you to get a new one. Plus I imagine that once your helmet smells gross, you're not going to want to keep it around anyway. The helmets are currently in the testing stages so no final word on when they go live. Will you wear one when it's ready?

Fittingly Mad: Wear a Helmet Already
Rant

Fittingly Mad: Wear a Helmet Already

As the weather improves I see more and more folks out riding their bicycles.
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As the weather improves I see more and more folks out riding their bicycles. Enjoying the sunshine and feeling the wind blow their hair about...Wait...HOLD ON...If their hair is blowing all about it means they are not wearing a helmet. Not wearing a helmet???!!!??? You need to protect your noggins people.

Now I will readily admit bike helmets are not very attractive. Bike helmets might even feel dorkier than they look. But I spent a lot of money and time filling my brain with knowledge, both important and trivial. I love knowing that there are 26 bones in a foot, and that relámpago means "lightning" in Spanish. I would hate to lose that valuable information because while cruising on my bike my head accidentally came into contact with the car of an errant driver, or the pavement, or a light pole. You don't wear helmets because you are a crazy cyclist, you wear them because sometime cars don't stop when there's a red light, and because occasionally off leash dogs wander into the street, or because some pot holes are practically invisible.

So enjoy your bike and protect your brain. And why you are at it - get a bike light. Biking on a warm night is such a pleasure, but make sure you can be seen.

Please, please - pretty please.