Bike safety: A comprehensive guide to worry-free cycling | ODILO
- Laura Gauton
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
For the past ten years or so, cycling has been steadily gaining in popularity in France. Between 2019 and 2022, bicycle traffic increased by 44%. But more cyclists on our roads also means more accidents, primarily in rural areas.
We can put this down to ill-suited road infrastructures that often leave cyclists squeezed for room, but there is also a general lack of caution and a failure to obey the French Highway Code (on the part of both drivers and cyclists).
There’s no denying that, in urban and rural settings alike, we cyclists are at greater risk opposite motor vehicles. And yet, over and above anything else, cycling must remain enjoyable! So how can cyclists keep themselves safe on the road today?
ODILO brings you a comprehensive guide to safe cycling, including a sound grasp of the French Highway Code and how to check that your bike is in good condition and that you have the right equipment. At the end of the article, you can also learn how to ride safely with a bike trailer in tow.
Obeying the Highway Code
The Highway Code applies to all road users. So whether you’re travelling by car, truck, bus, scooter or bicycle, you are required to share the road, to pay particular attention to the most at-risk road users (pedestrians and cyclists in particular) and to be familiar with and obey the signage and other rules in force.
Some traffic rules apply specifically to cyclists, even if not all road users are familiar with them. Practices that are punishable by law include the following:
riding on the footpath (with the exclusion of children under the age of eight);
carrying a passenger on your bike (unless you have a bike built for the purpose, such as a cargo bike);
wearing earphones;
using your phone;
cycling under the influence;
etc.
💡 Good to know: the Code du cyclist published by Dalloz is a handbook of the French legal provisions applicable specifically to cyclists. For anyone interested in learning more about the rights and obligations of cyclists, it is a mine of information.
Gearing up to make sure you’re visible on your bike
When you’re riding a bike, it’s vitally important to see and be seen. So make sure you’re readily visible to anyone driving a motor vehicle.
Mandatory equipment for bikes
The French Highway Code stipulates that certain items of equipment are mandatory for cycling safely.
Among other things, the regulations require bikes to be equipped with various lights and reflectors, positioned as follows:
a light at the front and another at the rear (must be steady) for cycling at night or in an environment that is not well-lit;
light reflectors (one white reflector at the front, one red reflector at the rear, two orange reflectors on the pedals and wheels).
As a cyclist, you are required to have the following:
Your bike must be equipped with a bell or horn (to warn of your approach in the event of an obstacle ahead).
Children under the age of 12 must wear a bike helmet.
Outside built-up areas, cyclists must wear a high-vis vest at night or when visibility is poor.
💡 Good to know: not so keen on the traditional yellow vest? Many brands, such as Urban Circus, sell innovative high-vis clothing that is more attractive than a plain yellow vest.
The six accessories that will keep you safer on the road
Are you regularly out on your bike at night? Alongside the mandatory accessories, other optional ones may prove very useful. Not only will you be more visible, you’ll also be safer.
1 - Bike helmet
Bike helmets, while mandatory only for children under the age of 12, are nevertheless strongly recommended for adults too. To make yourself as visible as possible, prefer a yellow or white helmet with front and rear lights.
❤️ ODILO’s favourite: the bike helmet with turn signals activated by a nod of the head, from the Gamel Helmets brand.
2 - Pair of gloves
A pair of gloves is particularly useful for keeping your hands warm in winter when night falls early. Another appreciable feature of gloves is the extra layer of protection they provide in the event of a fall (hands are often the first to be injured). Gloves also cushion the bumps.
A handy tip for greater visibility is to opt for reflective gloves. At night, your changes of direction will be clearly visible.
3 - High-visibility shoulder belt
A shoulder belt is a light-reflecting harness that is worn on top of your jacket or your backpack.
4 - Reflective clips
These are clipped directly onto the spokes of your wheel and are an effective addition to the mandatory orange reflectors.
5 - Safety reflector arm
The safety reflector arm is attached to your bike’s frame and is particularly useful on the open road. It is equipped with a fold-out reflector that indicates to cars and other motor vehicles the distance to maintain when they overtake you (1.50 m).
6 - Rear-view mirror
A rear-view mirror is no mere gadget, especially when you’re cycling in heavily built-up areas. It helps you anticipate potential hazards behind you and safely manage your changes of direction.
Communication while cycling
Alongside the accessories and gear that keep you readily visible, good communication gives everyone a clear understanding of your intentions.
Remember to signal your changes of direction so that other road users aren’t caught off-guard!
Checking your bike’s roadworthiness
Regardless of whether your bike is electric or not, it is essential to carry out regular maintenance on it to make sure you’re safe. This is all the more important if you use it every day!
There’s nothing very complicated involved: regularly check that your tyres are properly inflated, tighten your brakes when necessary and check the wear on the mechanical parts. You can also have your bike checked over by a bike mechanic.
If you own an electric bike, have the electronic components inspected too. An annual inspection is advisable if you use your bike only occasionally. But if you’re out on your bike every day, the recommended practice is twice-yearly revisions.
💡 Good to know: good bike maintenance also includes keeping it clean! Mud and dust can become caked on not only your bike’s frame but also the other mechanical parts, and this may eventually cause damage. So, from time to time, clean the transmission (namely the pedal and gear mechanism, the derailleur, the chain or the belt).
Close-up on: cycling safely with a trailer
Do you regularly use a trailer to transport your kids or your gear?
Bear in mind that all trailers for traditional bikes (including those designed for transporting children) are subject to safety requirements (as specified in the EU standard EN 15918). Here are the main requirements:
The maximum authorised weight (including the weight of the trailer) must not exceed 60 kg.
It is mandatory to attach a free-floating orange flag to the trailer.
Deflection devices must be present in front of the trailer’s wheels to deflect the trailer should it hit a vertical object.
The trailer hitch must comprise an additional safety device in the unlikely event that the main hitch becomes loose.
Moreover, under Article R313-18 of the French Highway Code, your trailer must be fitted with a similar lighting device (two such devices must be attached if the trailer’s width exceeds 1.30 m).
Over and above these requirements, regularly check that your trailer’s components (tyres, trailer coupler, etc.) are in good condition.
At ODILO, our bike trailers are a completely safe way to transport gear. The Combo, an all-in-one trolley and bike trailer, is your everyday workhorse. Shopping by bike or transporting a small piece of furniture, parcels or even your pet has never been so easy!
💡 Further reading: What’s the right bike trailer for you?
