Do you really feel safe when you're cycling in the city? Safety should not be a problem for cyclists in the city because the distances are short, there are streetlights everywhere, and cars are only allowed to drive at a maximum of 50 km/h. Additionally, most German cities now offer more or less well-developed bike paths. But does this really provide enough safety for people on bicycles?
Many cyclists do not feel safe in the city. But why is that?
Traffic is not as fast as it is on country roads, there is enough light almost everywhere to recognize obstacles, and there are more and more bike paths. Yet, bicycle accidents still occur daily in cities. One of the reasons for the lack of safety is the dense traffic. Urban streets are usually crowded, and the mix of cars, pedestrians, trams, bicycles, strollers, dogs, and so on often makes the situation confusing and complex. When poor visibility and wet or slippery conditions are added to the mix, safety for cyclists suffers even more. According to statistics, more than 80,000 cyclists were involved in accidents in 2021 alone; children, teenagers, and seniors are particularly at risk.
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Safety and bicycles are therefore a sensitive topic, especially in the city where it quickly becomes dangerous. Here are our 6 best tips to make cycling in the city safer. |
1. More safety on the bicycle through lateral visibility
Unfortunately, some cyclists still rely on street lighting and ride without bicycle lights through the city. This is not only illegal but also negligent! Many bicycles today have very good lighting, and that's a good thing. But when it comes to bicycle lighting most bikers only think of the headlight in front and a red light at the back. For cross-country rides, this might make sense, but at intersections – and cities have plenty of those – you often encounter from the side pedestrians, other cyclists, or cars to do and the lamps look bad when they only shine forward and backward.
That's why your bike should definitely have the prescribed reflectors in the spokes or the also approved light strips around the tire.
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For even more safety, everyone who travels a lot in the city should make sure that their bicycle lights shine sideways. |
Also daytime running lights, parking lights, and brake lights are no longer uncommon on bicycles and are highly recommended even during the day, as they significantly increase safety.
Bicycle lights that are visible from the side significantly increase the safety for cyclists in the city! Image © Sigma Sport
💡Bicycle lighting for more safety in the city💡
Front bicycle lamp | Bicycle rear light | Bicycle lamps battery | Reflectors
2. Clear vision ensures safety on the bicycle!
When you are on the bicycle, you should absolutely not miss anything that happens in the dense city traffic. And that is particularly difficult due to the changing light conditions! Imagine you are riding along a street: Between the buildings it is shady, on the cross street the bright sunlight dazzles you, under a tree it suddenly gets darker and you see nothing for a moment... Constantly handling glasses on the bicycle distracts you from the road traffic. Especially if there are tram tracks in your city, you should always see what lies ahead of you! How can you ensure more safety there?
We have three safe solutions for you in stock:
- Choose a bicycle glasses with lightly tinted lenses out. A light tint compensates for changing light conditions and thus protects your eyes.
- With some cycling glasses, you can change the lenses. This way, you can look through darker lenses on sunny days, while lightly tinted lenses are optimal for less bright days.
- Wear a city helmet with a foldable visor, so you can adjust your field of vision to the light with a single hand movement.
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Our tip: Clear cycling glasses also help when your eyes tear up on the bike. With tearing eyes, you can't see anything, a clear pair of glasses blocks the wind and ensures good visibility. Even in the rain, clear glasses improve visibility. |
A bicycle helmet with a visor is a fine thing! The lightly tinted visor compensates for changing light, so you don't overlook anything, and it makes cycling in the city much safer! Image © Lumos
3. A heavy bag becomes a safety risk on the bike
Many people who cycle through the city carry a lot with them. You can of course transport work documents or groceries on the bike, but there is one thing you should keep in mind: Your luggage must always be well secured!
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In the city, you need your full attention for the road, so you should definitely avoid distractions. This also includes making sure your luggage is securely stowed. |
You must not lose anything, because what falls off is usually run over by the next car in seconds! On the other hand, you also don't want anything to be stolen from you. Everything should be theft-proof packaged!
Good bike bags, a bike basket plus bungee cord or a backpack are safe transport options. Many city bikes also have a stylish front basket, but it should be used with caution! The heavier you pack it, the more it can change the handling of the bike and even influence the riding path!
Bags & baskets for safe transport on the bike
Bike bags | Backpacks | Bicycle Baskets
Choose the RIGHT Shoulder Bag for Cycling!
The sportier you sit on the bike, the more problematic it becomes to carry a shoulder bag. Those who ride completely upright on a city bike or Dutch bike have nothing to fear here, but messenger bags are not suitable for a bent seating position. The heavier the bag becomes, the greater the force with which it eventually slides off your back to the side. The sliding bag is annoying, distracts you, and can even lead you off the straight path.
If you want to ride a bike with a Messenger Bag, it should definitely be one designed for cyclists. These bags have an additional strap that prevents slipping, so your bag won't lead you off the path!
A bicycle bag/messenger bag is a safe solution for transport on the bike. Image © Chrome Industries
4. The Safety Check for the Bike
We don't want to imply that you neglect your bike. But from experience, performance bikes like racing bikes, trekking bikes, or MTBs are more likely to be maintained than the old clunker for the 4km through the city to the office. And that eventually takes its toll!
- Poorly functioning brakes are really dangerous! You should keep an eye on the wear on the brake pads or brake rubbers and replace them in time! Also, brake discs wear out and need to be replaced eventually.
- Also particularly important are fit tires. Worn-out tires have no grip anymore. This means you can't safely take corners, it becomes slippery on wet roads, and you can't brake reliably. There are all-weather tires that you can use all year round in cities with moderate climates. However, for cities where a lot of ice and snow are expected, we recommend equipping the bike for winter with winter tires.
- Additionally, you should always check the tire pressure. Many cyclists struggle with almost flat tires, which unnecessarily costs energy! But not only that – if the tires have very little air, the bike may ride unstably at worst.
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We strongly recommend an annual comprehensive safety check for you! |
↪Bicycle parts for more safety on the city bike ↩
Brake pads | Brake rubbers | Tires | Winter tires | Pumps
5. High-Vis is in!
An urban Look in muted colors is nice and all, but unfortunately, it doesn't keep you safe. If you want to ride your bike through the city, you should fully embrace your love for bright colors, because the more vibrant the outfit, the better you are seen. Red, yellow, or bright green, the more colorful, the better! Neon colors stand out particularly well, but at the very least, your outerwear should be bright.
Our tip: Nowadays, there is cycling clothing that looks no different from regular casual wear or even office outfits. However, it is tailored for cyclists and is therefore particularly comfortable in the saddle. Cycling jackets and -pants are often equipped with reflective elements. This makes you particularly visible at night, at dusk, or in bad weather, which is important for your safety!
Play it safe and wear a jacket that lights up completely in the headlights! Image © Assos
6. Traffic safety is the be-all and end-all!
If you're riding your bike in the city, a roadworthy bicycle is an absolute prerequisite! The required equipment includes not only the bicycle lights already described above, but your bike should also have other safety-relevant attachments!
This makes your bicycle roadworthy:
- Bicycle lighting, approved according to StVZO
- Front reflector white, rear red
- Side-visible reflectors on the wheels
- A bicycle bell
- Two brakes
- Non-slip, securely fastened pedals with yellow reflectors
In the Bike Blog, there is a post that explains the necessary equipment in great detail. It is really worth reading this article and upgrading the bicycle accordingly, because without these bicycle parts, not only does safety suffer, but you also risk trouble up to fines!
Bicycle Safety for Advanced Riders
We won't elaborate on one tip here, because it goes without saying that "going without" is not an option! The bicycle helmet remains the most important safety measure.
However, there are some situations where a few simple measures can significantly improve safety.
How to get to work well with the bicycle is explained in our post "Cycling to Work".
"Better with the Bicycle to Work" – read now.
The winter is a special challenge for both bicycle and rider. How to safely get through the cold season can be learned in various posts. We explore the importance of winter tires, explain which accessories make winter cycling safer and "Winter Cycling Clothing" is also an important point.
- Winter Cycling Clothing
- Does your bicycle need winter tires?
- Cycling through the Winter
- Cleaning the Bicycle in Winter
Also important: More safety for the beloved bike! How to do this is explained in our article "Locking the Bicycle Properly".
Title image © Metehan Demirkaya on Pexels
