10 Rules of Cycling Every Rider Should Know

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10 Rules of Cycling Every Rider Should Know

Quick Take: Cycling is simple, but staying safe, respected, and strong takes a few non-negotiable rules. Here are 10 every rider should know.

After riding more than 150,000 miles, I’ve picked up a few lessons the hard way. Some came from near misses in traffic, others from my own mistakes. I can tell you this: these rules aren’t written by a cycling committee. They’re written on the road, in sweat and sometimes blood. Take them seriously, and you’ll ride longer, safer, and with a little more joy.

🚴 10 Rules of Cycling

1. Never wear cycling shorts off the bike.
   They’re functional, not fashion. Put them on to ride, take them off when you’re done.
2. Helmet is not optional.
   If your head hits pavement, that extra protection is worth every dollar.
3. Obey traffic laws (even if drivers don’t).
   Stop signs, lights, hand signals — following the rules keeps you alive and gives drivers fewer excuses.
4. Respect the weather.
   Wind, heat, cold, and storms don’t care about your pride. Know when to push through and when to bail.
5. No earbuds in traffic.
   Hearing that car behind you is as important as seeing it. Save the music for indoor rides.
6. Maintain your machine.
   Clean chain, inflated tires, working brakes. A poorly kept bike is an accident waiting to happen.
7. Don’t block the road.
   Two abreast is fine where it’s legal, but drifting four wide across the lane makes enemies fast.
8. Lights at night.
   Front and rear. If they can’t see you, you don’t exist.
9. Fuel your body, not just your ego.
   Eat, drink, and rest before you bonk. Pride doesn’t get you home — calories do.
10. Wave to other cyclists.
    A nod or wave costs nothing. Cycling’s hard enough without acting like enemies.

🚴 Gear I Personally Use and Recommend

• RENPHO Solar Smart Scale – This scale has become a huge addition to my cycling gear. I was at a months long weight plateau. After purchasing this scale, the information it gave me helped motivate me to blast through that plateau and lose 17 more pounds to settle into my riding weight.
• Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet – The helmet that’s worth every extra dollar and the one I wear. 
• Bright USB Rechargeable Bike Lights – Don’t ride at night without them.

🙌 Final Thoughts

Rules aren’t about taking the fun out of cycling — they’re about keeping you alive to ride another day. Break them at your own risk, but know this: the longer you ride, the more sense they make. Got a rule you swear by? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear it.

Related Reads:

• Top Cycling Visibility Tips
• Should a 70-Year-Old Ride a Bike?
• My Lifetime Love Affair with Long-Distance Cycling

❓ FAQs on Cycling Rules

Do I really need a helmet on short rides?
Yes. Crashes happen fastest when you least expect them. Distance doesn’t matter.

Can I use headphones if I only ride on bike paths?
Safer than in traffic, but keep volume low and stay alert to riders, runners, and wildlife.

What’s the biggest beginner mistake?
Ignoring hydration. Most new riders underestimate how much water they need, especially in heat.

Cyclist’s Book Pick of the Month

Epic Bike Rides of the Americas — Lonely Planet

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