Is your bicycle ready for the upcoming season?

This Saturday, Southwest Montana folks are invited to a bicycle safety event with the Bike Den and area bicycle enthusiasts.  It's an event you should consider attending if biking is going to be a part of your summer.

Even if you can't make the event, there are many simple safety precautions you can take to make your next ride safer and more enjoyable.

First off, don't forget that helmet.  One of the most common bicycle-related injuries is a head injury from a fall and simply wearing your helmet greatly increases your chances of walking away without serious injury.  Just make sure you're wearing the right size helmet and that it's fastened correctly and, of course, be sure that your bicycle has the correct tire pressure and properly functioning brakes.  Nobody wants malfunctioning equipment to be the reason behind a crash.

It is equally important to "see and to be seen".  Make sure your bike has rearview and side-view mirrors that will provide a greater range of vision and always wear a form of reflective outerwear, particularly if you plan on riding at dusk or at nighttime.  If you plan on riding at night, you may want to consider lights, particularly a headlamp.  Remember to use hand signals when turning or changing lanes.   Since icy road conditions are staying a little later than usual this year in Montana, studded snow tires are still an option, and it is always a good idea to have a first aid kit handy and always ride with a cell phone.

Stay safe this season and happy bicycling.