At Allstate Canada, the health and safety of our customers is always top of mind. With the warm weather finally here, now is a great time to celebrate the sunshine and embrace a healthier lifestyle.  

This Friday, May 16th marks Bike to Work Day, a day that fosters a vibrant cycling community and advocates for improved cycling infrastructure. Cities across the country celebrate with a variety of   bicycle-themed events, cycling workshops, webinars, contests and social events.  

With this in mind, it is important to remember that a bike ride can turn disastrous in a split second if proper bike safety precautions are not followed. 

So, before you, or a loved one, takes a bicycle out for a spin please consider the following safety tips: 

1. Always wear a helmet! Most cyclists fatally injured in bicycle accidents sustain injuries to the neck and head. The use of a properly-fitted helmet has been shown to be the most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash. Make wearing bike helmets a habit for everyone in the family (not just the kids).
2. Keep it in tune. There’s a reason for the expression “like a well-oiled machine.” Just like cars, bicycles should undergo routine maintenance to ensure that they are in good working order. Be sure to do a tune-up at least once a year, and to check the brakes, gears, wheels, lights, headset, nuts and bolts, and lubricate the drive system. 
3. Learn the rules of the road. Be sure you, and your young riders, understand the bicycle road rules for your province and follow them. Bicycles are vehicles, and the rider is the driver, meaning we must obey all traffic signs, including stop signs and red lights. Cyclists must look before turning left or right and indicate the turn’s direction by signaling with an extended arm. Be sure to ride in a predictable straight line and never weave in or out of traffic. If a bike lane is available, ride in this lane and always ride with the flow of traffic, rather than against it. 
4. Be seen. Make sure everyone else on the road can see you. Equip your bike with a working light on both the front and back, as well as a white front reflector and a red rear reflector. Additional reflectors should be placed on the tires. And always wear bright and reflective clothing. 
5. Be Safe. Avoid wearing headphones when biking on roads, as they may prevent you from hearing important sounds – like an approaching car. Never bike while impaired, or while using your cell phone. Keep loose pant legs, bag straps, shoelaces and scarves away from your bike chain so they don’t get caught. Always wear proper footwear, like running shoes. Never go barefoot, and don’t wear sandals, flip-flops, high heels, or cleats. These won’t help you grip the pedals and could even get caught. 

Now that you have all the safety tips and tricks when it comes to biking, why not learn about some of the benefits that come along with cycling.  

Why should people bike? 

If you choose to bike to work, you might arrive feeling more energized and mentally alert.  Not only that, but cycling can be a healthy, affordable, and environmentally sustainable form of commuting.  Nearly everyone can do it!  Replacing even just a few car trips with cycling can yield significant results. 

For example, cycling to work for an eight kilometre round-trip twice a week for a month would result in a savings of $30 in driving costs, burning 1,936 calories, and 14,248 grams of CO2 emissions saved!  You can check your commute here.  

How can someone get started with cycling? 

The first step is to get a bike in good working condition and ensure you have proper safety accessories such as a helmet, light, and bell.  If you’d like to improve your skills, look into Cycling Canada’s CAN-Bike programs.  They offer courses for various skill levels in locations across the country. 

How can we make cycling a habit? 

You don’t have to cycle every day to see the benefits.  Refer to your regional cycling resources and maps, and find a safe route to try on the weekends or evenings before cycling to work.  Cycling with a partner or a group can ease beginners into the habit and build confidence for new cyclists.   

If you live far from your workplace or school, try cycling for part of the journey.  Cycle to a transit stop and place your bike on the racks on the front of busses, or carpool part of the way with someone who has a bike rack on their car.  Finally, check to see if your workplace has amenities to help make cycling to work easier.  Some offices may have showers, bike parking, or lockers for you to use. 

Can cycling be fun? 

There are many ways to make cycling fun – whether you’re cycling to work, school, or for recreation.  Set up friendly challenges among your colleagues to see who cycles the most or furthest in a week.  Or ask your workplace to get involved by posting challenge updates or sponsoring a prize. 

You can also aim to try a new route in your community each week or participate in guided tours.  By trying a new route, you may discover a new restaurant or park that you would otherwise not have known about.  Check your region or municipality’s website for information. 

So, get out there and enjoy the ride! Just remember to stay alert and stay safe while on the roads.  

Disclaimer: This information has been provided for your convenience only and should not be construed as providing legal or insurance advice. Allstate does not control or guarantee the accuracy of any content on any third-party site. Allstate is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party site.