Stay Injury Free On Two Wheels – Top Cycling Safety Tips

As road cycling increases in popularity, it is important for both experienced and novice cyclists to understand how to avoid injury when sharing the road. Ian Rees, Director and Head of Personal Injury, explains how cyclists can stay safe on two wheels.

To support cyclists from Wales and beyond, JCP Solicitors is gearing up to be one of the sponsors of the CARTEN100 2025, taking place on Saturday 10th May. The road cycling race covers 100 miles from Cardiff to Tenby, and has become a highlight in the Welsh cycling events calendar.

Keen cyclists may also be preparing for the JCP Solicitors Tour of Pembrokeshire on Saturday 24th May. With a 25 mile community ride, a classic 60 mile ride, or an epic 105 ride, the races starts in the picturesque town on St Davids and takes cyclists through the Pembrokeshire countryside.

Before training for – and taking part in – any cycling events, it is vital that cyclists take proactive steps to ensure a safe and smooth ride and avoid injury.

Maintain Your Equipment

It is essential that your bike is well-maintained and serviced regularly. Check your tyres and chain, and make sure your lights and reflectors are in place before going out onto the roads. Wear bright and reflective clothing, especially when cycling in the early morning or evening.

Also, never go for a ride without taking appropriate repair equipment with you: a spare inner-tube, a patch kit, a pump, and extra lights. Consider taking a phone charger if you’re following a phone Sat-Nav, along with water bottles and high-energy snacks.

Having well-maintained equipment will help you to stay safe.

Always Wear Your Helmet

One of the most important pieces of equipment for any cyclist is their helmet.

Headway, the UK-wide brain injury charity, has sadly seen many of their service users suffer a brain injury as a result of a cycling accident. Wearing a helmet provides a crucial protective layer and can be the difference between a scare and a serious injury.

Imperial College London recently ranked the UK’s 30 most popular helmets, funded by The Road Safety Trust, to reveal significant difference in performance – with no link between the price of a helmet and the level of safety it provides.

So, you do not need to splash out on an expensive helmet, as it will not necessarily mean you are better protected. As long as you are wearing a helmet, you are reducing your risk of injury.

You can check ratings of adult cycle helmets here.

Avoid Undertaking

When you are training on the roads, stay aware of vehicle’s blind spots whether cycling near cars or lorries.

Do not undertake lorries on their left-hand side, as the driver rarely has full visibility. Undertaking increases risk of serious injury, and so it is important to avoid doing so with cars, lorries or buses.

Read The Road

When you are out cycling at an event or for training, you are always more vulnerable to risk. Try to pre-empt the moves a driver might make, whether that is pulling out of a junction or opening a car door in a residential area.

As well as cars, lorries and buses, look ahead of drain covers, gutters, potholes, speed bumps, parked cars, and pedestrian crossings.

Your safety is paramount, and it is important to stay focused when out on your bike.

As proud sponsors of the JCP Solicitors Tour of Pembrokeshire and the CARTEN100, JCP understands the joy - and risks - of road cycling.

If you have any questions about Personal Injury, particularly in relation to cycling accidents that were not your fault, JCP Solicitors can help. Call our team on 03333 208644 or email hello@jcpsolicitors.co.uk.