Keep your bicycle (and yourself) safe
De Wet De Villiers
Keep your bicycle (and yourself) safe
~ Courtesy Santam
Whether you like ambling about on your bicycle for fun or are training for the next road-bike or MTB event, knowing how to stay safe is the best way to enjoy your time cycling.
An increasing number of South Africans are taking up cycling as a hobby and are purchasing bicycles fit for their lifestyle. Whether it be for environmental reasons, saving petrol when commuting to work in city areas, or to simply have fun and compete in sport races, thousands of South Africans are fully immersing themselves in this trend.
But regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cyclist, we want to make sure you’re always safe wherever you may find yourself, which is why we’ve put together this list of safety tips.
Safety tips for cyclists:
- Like any vehicle, a bicycle needs to be serviced properly before you embark on any major challenge, or when parts start to get worn. Make sure you get your bike checked out.
- Always obey the road rules with respect to cycling. You could start by familiarising yourself with these Cycling Rules of the Road and Road Safety from Arrive Alive.
- Always wear a helmet while cycling. Cycling without a helmet has been illegal in South Africa since 2004.
- Make sure you are always visible to motorists.
- Keep your friends and family informed of your plans, whether you’re going for a long or short ride. Let them know which route you intend to take.
How to insure your bicycle:
- Specify the insurance cover for your bicycle in your policy with your insurer or intermediary.
- You can also insure accessories/gear relating to your bike, such as a helmet. This must be clearly specified in your policy.
- State whether your bicycle is used for pleasure purposes only, or for professional use in competitions.
- Know what the current replacement value of your bicycle is and insure it for the same value.
If you have any questions relating to this matter, please get in touch with us at info@dwdv.insure or call us on 014 592-1077.
