Bike Safety 101: things newbies should know before hitting the road
With the ongoing
pandemic, transport options have narrowed down for many Filipino commuters. Due
to limited transport options as well as strict health protocols that make
public transit more difficult, a number of people in the metro have turned to
biking as an alternative means to get around.
Since launching
its Ride Safe campaign last year, Allianz PNB Life
has been hard at work promoting bike safety and green mobility across the
metro, partnering with the San Juan City government to make San Juan one of the most
bike-friendly cities in Metro Manila. They collaborated on new bike
lanes around the city, as well as set up
the country’s first solar-powered pit stop for cyclists.
“At Allianz PNB
Life, we want to encourage more Filipinos to think of cycling as an alternative
and more sustainable means of transportation,” said Gino Riola, Chief Marketing
Officer for Allianz PNB Life and an avid cyclist himself. "A very big part
of that is of course safety, which is why we put a primer on promoting and spreading
awareness on bike safety and education.”
Riola shares the
following tips to help new commuters-turned-bikers navigate the busy streets of
Metro Manila safely:
1. Find the
right ride. The right
bike ensures comfort and safety while cycling. Hybrid bikes or road bikes
are usually an amateur’s best bet for navigating a mix of bumpy to paved
roads and slow-moving traffic. Additionally, a bike with the correct size
should correspond to a rider’s height.
2. Gear up. When it comes to cycling gear, the first and most important
one to get is a safety helmet. A proper fitting helmet should cover the
forehead about an inch above the
eyebrows and not tip forward or backward. Bright, reflective
clothing is another must while riding. Neon or fluorescent-colored wear
such as hi-vis (high visibility) jackets or stick-on reflectors is
recommended, especially when biking during early morning, cloudy days or
evenings.
3. Practice
biking techniques. Practice is
key to building confidence on the road. Ascending, descending, keeping
balance when turning corners, and looking over one’s shoulder without
swerving are basic skills to master. Even knowing how to change flat tires
using a patch kit could come in handy. In San Juan, riders can actually
rest and repair their bikes through pit stops.
4. Check
equipment. Before
setting off, it’s important to ensure all parts of a bicycle are secure
and working. Tires should be properly inflated, and the seat should be
adjusted to and locked at a proper height, ideally at the same level or
just slightly lower than the handlebars.
5. Follow
traffic rules. Bicycles are
vehicles, and obeying traffic rules is a must, not just out of respect to
drivers and pedestrians but also to avoid any accidents. Cyclists are more
vulnerable than their driver counterparts, and should be extra careful.
Riding a bike does not mean one is exempt from following stoplights.
6. Know hand
signals. Signals are
another key aspect to following traffic rules. When turning, cyclists are
urged to signal left or right. The same is true for slowing down or
stopping. Learn more basic hand signals here.
7. Join a
cycling group. There are
many cycling communities in the Philippines where new riders can learn
valuable knowledge from their more experienced counterparts. Riding in a
group is also a lot safer than riding solo. Plus it’s just more fun to
ride with buddies.
8. Enjoy the
ride! Last but not
least, it’s important to enjoy the ride! Biking is a great way to get
exercise, spend time with family and friends, and reduce carbon emissions.
Much like insurance, biking is a long-term investment for your health,
your loved ones, and the environment.
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