The best bike accessories to keep you safe on the road
Over 18,000 cyclists were injured on UK roads last year, so if you’re a cyclist, it’s important to make sure you’re as safe as possible the next time you pedal off.
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of the best bike accessories that will keep you safe, ranging from the obvious to the innovative.
Top 5 bike accessories
Bike helmet
Although you don’t legally have to wear a helmet, at the moment, it’s an excellent extra layer of protection.
Make sure your helmet fits snugly, and check that it has a BSEN1078 or Snell Foundation B90 sticker —this means it’s manufactured to a high safety standard.
Need inspiration? Evans Cycles has a great collection.
Bike lights and hi-vis clothing
The best way to keep you safe on the roads is to make sure you’re as visible as possible.
Bike lights and high-visibility clothing can help you stand out to other road users, particularly at night.
UK cycling law says you must have front and rear lights of at least 50 lumens in strength, and flashing lights are now allowed – but they must flash between 60 and 240 times per minute.
Looking for something a bit extra? Why not invest in Beryl Laserlight, you’ll be sure to be seen with one of them.
Bicycle tool kit
Every cyclist should be prepared for the worst, particularly during winter.
Having the tools to deal with a flat tire or a slipped chain can mean the difference between a short stop and a totally ruined commute.
It’s worth investing in a travel-size tool kit you can easily carry with you on your little adventures as you’ll never know when you’re going to need it – it’s also worth making sure you know how to use it.
Decathlon have a great collection of toolkits in all shapes and sizes, take a look.
Bicycle horn
The bicycle bell is so 1877 — this year, it’s all about a loud bicycle horn!
Although a bike bell is useful for alerting pedestrians, it’s not as helpful in road traffic.
A bicycle horn is loud enough to penetrate car windows, meaning drivers will definitely be able to hear you, even if they can’t see you.
Halfords have a great collection of horns, from the practical to the fun and colourful, there’s something for everyone.
Ground mapping system
For tech-lovers, there’s nothing quite as cool as mixing the latest innovations with bike safety.
A ground mapping system projects a light grid in front of your bike to alert you to any bumps on the road, making cycling at night a total breeze.
Why not check out Rutland Cycling’s Cycle Computers and see if anything takes your fancy.
Now you know all about the best bike accessories to keep you safe on your cycle rides, why not put them to the test on one of the five best cycling routes in the UK.
