Extreme Heat? Avoid A New Haven Bicycle Accident With These Tips

Ask anyone and you’ll probably get a different answer. What’s your favorite season? You’ll probably get a wide variety of answers, but one answer you will likely not hear is the extreme heat season which happens between the middle of July and the middle of August. Around here temperatures can routinely get into the mid to upper nineties and when that happens a lot of outdoor activities stop.

If you’re an avid cyclist you may not want to hop off your bike even if the weather is treacherous, but riding in extreme heat may lead you to being more vulnerable to a New Haven bicycle accident. Riding your bike in any extreme weather conditions can be dangerous, but when the heat is overwhelming it can put you at risk of serious injury.

There is good news for you if you like to ride your bike even in extreme temperatures. There are some steps you can take that will keep your body ready to ride and not become a problem for you that could lead to injury. There are also some things you can do while you’re riding that will keep you safe even as the mercury rises. Finally, when you’re done riding there are some important things you can do to wind down your bike ride that will put you in a position to stay healthy even as your body tries to rapidly cool down.

Before you jump on your bike during these days where the heat can become extreme and while you’re riding you should follow these tips to keep yourself safe.

1.) Plan your trip according to the time of day. Midday is the hottest time of day generally so if you can avoid the hours of 12 noon through roughly 4pm you will be putting yourself in the best possible scenario. While this time table is a general estimate you should check your local forecast and try to determine what the best time is to ride. Generally speaking when the sun is at it’s peak is when the temperatures will be the most extreme and these are the hours you should avoid riding.

2.) Wear the right clothing. The clothing you may want to wear while riding will most certainly change depending on the weather conditions. In extreme heat you will want to focus on breathable clothing made from moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester. The color of your clothes will also impact your comfort level as opting for light colors will reflect the sunlight and keep you cooler than dark colors. Finally when thinking about clothing you don’t want to forget your helmet. Wearing a helmet that is properly ventilated is one of the best things you can do to stay cool while you’re riding.

3.) While you’re riding hydration is incredibly important. If you’re planning on riding in extreme heat you should make sure that you have plenty of water for your ride. This may mean that you have two water bottle cages on your bike while also carrying an additional water bottle on your person or in a backpack to make sure you are covered. If you run out of water, don’t continue riding, pull off and find a place to refill the water bottle. Dehydration can leave you vulnerable to hallucinations and dizziness that can be quite dangerous while you’re riding.

4.) Trust the signals your body sends to you while you’re riding. You know yourself the best. If you start to feel dizzy or light headed you should pull off to the side of the road and find someplace to cool down. If you can’t cool down you may be experiencing something more serious and you may need to seek medical attention.

There’s nothing saying you can’t ride your bike in extreme temperatures, you just have to make sure you’re doing it safely. Taking the proper steps to keep yourself from experiencing dangerous conditions will help you avoid a New Haven bicycle accident and put you in a situation where you can continue to ride without much concern.

If a bicycle accident happens to you or a friend and an injury occurs you may need to speak with someone who has experience with this type of situation. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.