increase visibility
The first step towards greater security is to increase your visibility. Anyone who stands out in traffic reduces the risk of being overlooked and thus being involved in an accident. For this purpose, lights should first be attached to the bike. As the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) explains, a red rear light as well as white front lights and reflectors are mandatory for every bicycle on the road. But it doesn’t have to be done with simple lights here. The Techstage platform presents a number of smart solutions designed to make the cycling experience even safer. The Garmin Varia RTL515 and RTL516, for example, should help to compensate for the blind spot of bicycles. These two battery-powered taillights feature proximity radar that detects approaching vehicles from up to 140 meters away. A smartphone app then draws attention to the vehicles behind. The Garmin Varia RCT715 and RCT716 models even go one step further with an integrated dashcam.
In addition to the right lighting on the bike, your own appearance also plays a role when it comes to visibility, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) explains. Fluorescent clothing that reflects ultraviolet light should be worn during the day. This then appears much brighter in daylight than other colors. However, this effect only works in daylight. If you want to increase your visibility at night, you can do this with reflective clothing. This reflects the artificial light of the headlights. It should also be helpful to wear reflectors on the ankles, as this emphasizes the pedaling movement, which makes it easier to identify a cyclist.
driving behavior
As the ADFC explains, driving behavior also plays a major role for cyclists when it comes to road safety. It is important to follow a few basic rules. For example, if you drive with foresight and clearly and don’t forget to give your hand signal when turning, you can be predictable for other road users. In addition, cyclists should be “self-confident on the outside, but defensive on the inside.” As the SZ further explains, it is also important as a cyclist to comply with the applicable traffic rules and not to circumvent them to your advantage. This applies to running red traffic lights, driving against one-way streets that are not approved for this, as well as drinking alcohol in the saddle. You should also refrain from driving on the sidewalks. Since pedestrians do not expect faster bicycles there, the risk of accidents increases.
security tools
Finally, there are some tools that can increase safety for cyclists. Accordingly, all cyclists should first of all wear a helmet. Not only does this safety tool reduce the risk of serious injury in an accident, but the right helmet can increase visibility and predictability. As Techstage explains, helmets with lighting increase visibility in the dark. Some bicycle helmets also have a turn signal function. In addition to a rear light, the Livall Evo 21 has a turn signal, for example, which can be activated for ten seconds using a remote control mounted on the handlebars of the bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter. If you connect the helmet to your smartphone, it also has an emergency call function. A sensor detects a possible fall and then contacts an emergency contact stored in the app via SMS and email, including the location data. Anyone who needs a navigation aid while driving or as a display for the reversing camera should also mount a mobile phone holder on the handlebars.
If the helmet is not enough as a safety tool, you could also use an airbag for cyclists. For example, the Hövding 3 is a type of neck brace that has an integrated airbag. If the neck brace registers a fall, the airbag is deployed. However, once deployed, the Hövding 3 should be released quickly as it constricts the neck and makes it difficult to breathe. In the case of unconsciousness after a fall, this could even be dangerous.
E. Schmal / Editor finanzen.net
Image sources: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com