Severe cold winters are a part of the Canadian experience, however with the bad comes the good. After a grueling six months of snow and cold, we are blessed with a wonderful season of sunshine and warmth. With the onset of spring and summer comes with it many fun outdoor activities including the very popular sport of cycling.

Thankfully here in Cornwall Ontario, residents are blessed with a beautiful bike path on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. These scenic and serene paths and trails accommodate anything from cyclists, to walkers, runners, and roller blade’s.

Regrettably, one of the most important things when using a bicycle is too often neglected, and that of course is bicycle safety. It is often overlooked and not taken as a serious matter, which is regrettable, because bicycle safety can prevent serious injury or even death.

Amongst some of the very simple “rules” would be to have your spring tune up (which can be done at Bicycle World). An issue as simple as improper gear tension or incorrect tire pressure can cause severe problems for a rider.

Also included in bicycle safety is to make sure you have your bell and mirror. Having a bell on your bike has become the law and Cornwall Police have been cracking down hard on this issue. If you are caught without a bell, you will be given a citation.

Although not everyone knows this, it is actually against the law to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk. Therefore, bicycles must share the roads with cars and other vehicles. Wearing a helmet may seem ”uncool” to many teenagers, however, it could save your life. Nowadays, helmet manufacturers make several different shapes and sizes of helmets to encourage riders to be safe while being stylish.

When riding a bike, it is also very important to remember to respect motorists. Although, cyclists have the right of way, not all motorist are paying attention. Please be safe out there, respect the rules and enjoy the warmer weather.

Robbie Chapman grew up just east of Cornwall in Lancaster Ontario. He became a professional triathlete in 2011, and he has the goal of attempting to qualify for the Olympic team. He is studying at St. Lawrence College and is a mechanic and sales person at Bicycle World.