Biking – Safety and Equipment

Lights

Rule 60 of the Highway Code states:

“At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen.28 Oct 2020

Reflectors

At least one red rear reflector and four amber pedal reflectors.

Brakes

You need two functioning brakes. (The front brake operates from the right-hand lever and the rear brake from the left.)

Bell

It is mandatory by law to have a bell but be prepared to call out with a cheery, ‘Hello ….Thank you’.

Equipment list.

Helmet

Gloves

Water bottle

Multi tool – plus allen keys and wrench.

Mini Pump

Puncture repair kit and tyre levers

Spare inner-tube

Lightweight jacket

Mobile Phone

Emergency snacks

Emergency money.

 

Some bicycle repair shops offer ‘slime’ within the tyres to help prevent punctures.

 

MAGIC BEANS

Josh’s Magic Beans.

Clean, dry socks. I think it was “Horrible Histories” who talked about foot rot and clean socks. It’s true. Having to put on stinking socks in the morning is disgusting. I learnt my lesson when I rode for a week with a mate I dismissed as ridiculously organised. But I tell you on the fifth day, he took out a pair of fresh socks from a plastic bag and I had run out of socks, and was facing …. Yuck. I tell you, even if it’s a day, fresh spare pair.