Top 5 techniques for turning safely on a bike (except the first!)
When cycling, many accidents occur following a change of direction. To ensure your safety and that of others, it is essential to be clear in your intention to turn. Here are the 5 techniques most used by cyclists to be safe when changing direction.
1- Do nothing and pray🙏
This technique is clearly not recommended (and prohibited!) but it is not uncommon to still see many cyclists change direction without making the slightest movement and without worrying about what may happen behind their backs .
It is totally unconscious to show no intention of turning for his own safety but also for that of others. Hoping that this technique disappears from our roads as quickly as possible!
The +
NoneThe -
👎 Immediate danger to self and others
Safety rate = 0%
2- The side mirror
This is the first real technique which allows you to turn after having checked that no one is overtaking you or that there is a danger behind you which could call into question your turn.
Generally positioned on the left handlebar, it is not uncommon to see cyclists with 1 mirror on each side of their handlebars.
You can also find mirror bracelets on the market but the visibility is much less than a mirror installed directly on the handlebars of the bike.
The +s
👍 Good vision of what is happening behind
👍 Habit of drivers to look in a side mirror
The -
👎 Blind spots
👎 Bulky on the handlebars
👎 Not very resistant to shocks
Safety rate = 56%
3- Raise your arm
The technique most used by the vast majority of cyclists and recommended by road safety.
To the right or left, you must release one hand from the handlebars to indicate your intention to turn to users behind you. The gesture quickly becomes natural after a few tries but it is not uncommon to also see a few falls from the bike of beginner cyclists who are not used to steering their bike with one hand for a few meters.
Be careful though, your arm is invisible at night!
The +s
👍 Clear intention of change of direction
👍 Standard for other road users
👍 Allows eyes to be kept on the road
The -
👎 Dangerous for novices to let go of one hand from the handlebars
👎 Invisible at night
Safety rate = 61%
4- The bicycle indicator
With a flick of your thumb on a remote control, you indicate your direction and are visible up to 100 meters day and night thanks to flashing LEDs. The lights The turn signal light is strong enough to be clearly visible to other drivers in any situation.
The indicator is wireless, it can simply be attached under your saddle (or on a helmet). The 3-button remote control attaches to the handlebars using a flexible membrane.
Be careful though, as with motorists, just because you put your indicator on does not mean you are safe from all the dangers coming from behind.
You can find our flashing wireless for bike on our site😊
The +s
👍 Allows you to keep your eyes on the road without taking your hand off
👍 Visible up to 100 meters day and night
👍 Same operation as on cars and motorcycles
The -
👎 Too small in direct sunlight
👎 May lead to overconfidence
Safety rate = 73%
5- Blink, look, and indicate!
None of the above techniques are sufficient in themselves and cyclists are never careful enough on the road in the face of motorists and others motorized vehicles.
To maximize your chances of filming in complete safety, we prefer to combine different techniques:
1) indicate your intention to turn with a flashing light a> and/or by raising your arm
2) check behind youthat the path is clear at a glance or using a rear-view mirror.
The +s
👍 Your intention to turn can no longer be ignored
The -
👎 Lots of actions to integrate
Safety rate = 95%
Have a good trip and be safe!
1 comment
Hahaha je déteste ceux qui utilisent la première technique !