Road Bicycling In-Line Drafting Safety Tips

Bicycle accidents frequently occur in what could be considered the
most dangerous part of the road Bike drafting ride: the in-line sudden
stop. In-line means drafting off the wheel of the cyclist in front of
you.

3 safety rules exist:

* Never relying on persons in front. Stay on your own lookout,
especially at lights that change suddenly. You have to know yourself the
color of the light and whether it might change at any second.
* Warn everybody behind you that a sudden stop is
happening-hand gesture, yelling stop/stopping, whatever. I guess we
should never assume the persons behind you know what’s happening up
ahead.
* Bottom line though, is oftentimes, a warning is impossible
because things happen quickly. So protect yourself. We all need ‘chicken
necks”

Head injuries:

Problem with head injuries is ‘undiagnosed subdural hematoma”- a
deadly condition. Anyway, when you fall off your bike and hit your
helmet (especially when it breaks) better get checked out medically.
Obviously, if you take a fall and your head is involved, at least let
others know and have someone sit with you.

Another important piece of information is not taking aspirin or
ibuprofen containing products after a head injury for at least 48hrs.
These meds thin your blood and can worsen or increase your risk for a
bleed. Avoid fish oil and vitamin E supplements as well. Tylenol is
fine.

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