{"id":174945,"date":"2019-08-09T08:42:50","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T08:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=174945"},"modified":"2019-08-09T08:42:50","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T08:42:50","slug":"safety-tips-for-riding-solo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2019\/08\/09\/safety-tips-for-riding-solo\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Tips for Riding Solo"},"content":{"rendered":"

We talk a lot about safety at We Love Cycling. From keeping your bike well-maintained to obeying the rules of the road, there are many steps you can take to ensure you avoid unnecessary incidents and keep yourself safe. But there is also another kind of safety concern. It\u2019s an important one and unfortunately, one that disproportionately affects women\u2014personal safety when riding alone. Or rather, the danger posed not by traffic or potholes, but by people.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether motivated by the desire to unnerve, to steal, or something more sinister, the fact is that there are people out there with bad intentions and, as a solo cyclist, you are vulnerable. There is plenty of information about how runners can stay safe while training alone, but the topic isn\u2019t as widely discussed in cycling. Nevertheless, it is an issue and unfortunately, attacks and violations do happen. If you often venture out alone on your bike, here are some tips for staying alert and what to do if something goes wrong<\/p>\n

Stick to roads<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Even if you prefer riding on country trails or wooded lanes, it is best to stick to populated roads when cycling along. Keep in mind that roads provide their own set of challenges and help you train your overall cycling skills and increase your awareness levels. Save exploring quiet trails for when you have company.<\/p>\n

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Save exploring quiet trails for when you have company. \u00a9\u00a0Profimedia, Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Use the buddy system<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s always a good idea to let someone know where you are, your route, and when you expect to return from your ride. Make an arrangement with another cycling pal to check in on one another after rides you do on your own. There are also apps available that can give you another layer of security. For example, bSafe<\/a> tracks your location with GPS. The app also includes a \u2018Follow Me with Timer\u2019 feature and if you haven\u2019t checked in when the time\u2019s up, the alarm will alert your friends. Likewise, ROADiD<\/a>, uses an \u2018eCrumb Tracking\u2019 feature to share your location while riding. If you\u2019ve stopped moving for over 5 minutes, the \u2018Stationary Alert\u2019 will notify your selected contacts. It also gives you the ability to customize your phone\u2019s lock screen to provide your medical information to First Responders in case of an emergency.<\/p>\n

Vary your route<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you like to cycle alone often at a specific time, switch up your route regularly. This creates unpredictability in case a stranger notes your schedule. An added bonus is that it prevents you from getting bored and allows you to discover new areas.<\/p>\n

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Depending on where you live, it might also be a good idea to carry pepper spray. \u00a9\u00a0Profimedia, Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Follow your intuition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you feel like someone is following you or something seems suspicious\u2014trust your instinct. You don\u2019t have to be overly friendly to any stranger that approaches you, nor are you required to stop for anyone who happens to be waving you down. If you do find yourself in an uncomfortable scenario, take mental note of who, what, when and where\u2014consider facial features, hair colour and a description of the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Carry protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Depending on where you live, it might also be a good idea to carry pepper spray. It can also come in handy in case of a dog attack. Hopefully you\u2019ll never have to use it, but peace of mind while riding is also important. You can also arm your bike with tail lights that have a camera. Fly6 Cycliq is a good option. The videos they take are very clear and, depending on the memory card you get, they can even record long rides. They\u2019ve also got smart features, so any detected incident is prevented from being overridden.<\/p>\n

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Even if nothing bad ends up happening, you should always report any suspicious behaviour to your local authorities. \u00a9\u00a0Profimedia, Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keep moving<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are being followed by a vehicle, keep cycling until you find somewhere with people that you feel safe stopping. Alternatively, dart down an alley or path where the vehicle can\u2019t follow as soon as the chance presents itself. If you\u2019re being followed by another cyclist, try to keep calm and continue riding to a more populated area. Never go home when somebody is trailing you suspiciously.\u00a0If the person following you is up to something, you should never send them directly to your home or place of work. Go to a public place and approach someone for help.<\/p>\n

Report the incident<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Even if nothing bad ends up happening, you should always report any suspicious behaviour to your local authorities. It allows them to create a file and build a profile if someone else reports similar behaviour. Don\u2019t be shy about admitting that you felt unsafe. You should never feel threatened while riding your bike and it is by drawing attention to incidents that do happen that collectively we can garner support and reclaim the space together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We talk a lot about safety at We Love Cycling. From keeping your bike well-maintained to obeying the rules of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":174948,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[329,335],"tags":[3330,3329,396],"global-categories":[],"class_list":["post-174945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-road-cycling","category-safety","tag-buddy-system","tag-cycling-alone","tag-safety"],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Tips for Riding Solo - \u0160koda We Love Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We talk a lot about safety at We Love Cycling. 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