Whether you’ve been a committed cyclist since childhood, or you’re a Sunday bike ride kind of girl, the time might have come where you need to purchase a new bike to replace your old one - or purchase a brand new one for the first time! However, before embarking on the hunt for a new set of wheels, there are a few considerations that you need to take into account before splashing the cash. We’ve listed a few of the most important ones below so that you are well-prepared and can hop straight on your new bike once you take it home!
No matter how often or how far you are going to be riding your bike, you need to protect yourself from serious harm should you fall off your bike. First and foremost, invest in a firm and well-made helmet that covers your whole head. If you’re purchasing in-store, ask the shop assistants and cycle specialists to fit the helmet for you, so that you know you will be wearing it correctly when you set off for your next bike ride.
They should be able to recommend to you the best helmet that will best suit how you will be riding your bike, and they can ensure that you purchase the correct size for your head. However, if you’re looking online for a helmet, check out the reviews from other people who have used the same one that you’re interested in. This will give you an idea of whether the helmet is suited for your needs, and whether it has been made to a high standard.
Take measurements of your head size so that you can work out what size helmet you’ll need to purchase.
When cycling in the countryside or training for bike races, what you wear isn’t that important - unless you’re trying to win races and your clothes are impacting your ability to speed up! However, if you’re cycling to work or on the road, try to wear material that will provide some cushioning if you fall off, so that you can minimize the damage to your body.
Given that a bike can be a hefty investment for some people, especially if you’re purchasing a high-end racing, electric or mountain bike, it’s important that you insure it just like you would insure a car. With so many different insurance providers out there, it can seem like a minefield when deciding which is the right policy for you and your bike.
Consider purchasing bike insurance with a trusted and reliable provider who specializes in bike cover, like velosurance.com. Velosurance was founded by two cyclists who wanted a no-fuss insurance policy that would cover their bikes for just about anything that could happen. When you opt for this type of insurance, you are guaranteed to be insured by the people who know their stuff, not only about insurance but also about bikes too!
Just as pedestrians and car drivers have certain rules to follow when on the streets, so do cyclists. Unfortunately, cyclists aren’t exempt from following the road signs and regulations - including one-way systems, which are actually often ignored by cyclists, much to the disgust of other road users!
To protect you and other people, you’ll still need to stop at red traffic lights, stop signs, and pedestrian crossings whilst cycling. It is bad etiquette and dangerous to cycle on pavements instead of the road, as is cycling on the road when there is a designated cycle lane. If you are cycling on the road, you need to keep towards the inside edge of your lane, and at a safe distance away from other cars, lorries and motorbikes.
Even if you are cycling during the day, you should wear pieces of clothing that make you stand out, such as jackets or jumpers made of reflective materials, so that your presence is obvious to the other road users. Having lights and reflectors fitted on your bike or helmet is essential if you are cycling at night, which is when most cycle accidents happen.
There is a lot more to buying a bike than you might realize, and it isn’t as simple as finding the cheapest bike with the best reviews. Everyone will use their bike for different purposes, according to their needs, so it is worth spending time online researching and visiting bike stores to ask cycling experts for their opinions.
There are plenty of other obligations and safety precautions that you need to look into too when purchasing a new bike, which could influence your ultimate decision on what bike you purchase and how you actually will use your bike once it arrives! However long and difficult the research, it will be worth it in the end when the day comes that you can finally hop outdoors on the bike of your dreams.
