Health Gem

If you do one thing this week.... Get the safe cycling habit

IT’S BIKEWEEK 2012, and if you aren’t already of the “two wheels good” mindset, it could be the opportunity to work more bicycle time into your life.

Cycling can be one of the handiest ways to get around, but that only counts if you arrive safely. To help make that happen, make sure you adopt safe cycling habits. One is to always make yourself visible when cycling. Wear a luminous or “hi-viz” top even in daylight, light up in the dark and on these long evenings don’t forget to bring your lights in case you are delayed and you end up cycling later than expected. Another is to wear a helmet. Hopefully you won’t need it to protect you, but it’s there if you do. And it can help keep the rain off.

Finally, a personal mantra that has kept me out of harm’s way more than once is to assume that “others can’t see me” and exercise caution accordingly.

For tips on safe cycling, see bikeweek.ieand rsa.ie