5 Things to Check Before Every Ride: A Complete Safety Checklist

5 Things to Check Before Every Ride: A Complete Safety Checklist

Cycling is a thrilling, healthy activity, whether you’re biking for work, riding for fitness, or hitting the trails. But making sure your bike is well maintained before every ride is vital to your safety and performance. Focus on Checking One at a Time Checking one thing at a time during your pre-ride checks can prevent accidents, mechanical failures, and overuse of parts.
In this guide, we’ll show you the five things every cyclist should check before riding. The checks can be applied to all types of bikes, from mountain bikes, road bikes and even e-bikes.

Tire Pressure and Condition

Only your bike tires touch the ground, and they are among the most important parts to examine before each ride. If the pressure is improper or if you are riding on tires that are damaged, they can punctuate, handle badly and lead to accidents.

How to Check Your Bike Tires:

Check Tire Pressure:
Check by using a bike pump with a pressure gauge.

Look for the recommended PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) printed on the side of your tire.
Keep the tires inflated to the right PSI so they roll smooth and you have control.

Inspect for Damage:
Inspect the tire surface visually for any cracks, cuts, and bulges.

Look for embedded glass, thorns, or sharp objects that could cause a puncture.
Squeeze Test:

You can also gently squeeze the tires to confirm that they are stiff enough but not too soft or hard.
Why It Matters:
Well-maintained, properly inflated tires will provide traction, lower rolling resistance and extend your safety on various terrain.

Brakes and Brake Pads

An efficient brake system is essential for your safety on the road, as it enables you to stop your vehicle instantly and easily during emergencies. A simple brake test before any ride can help avoid the accidents that occur on busy streets or steep descents.
How to Check Your Brakes:

Brake Lever Test:
Squeeze the front and rear brake levers. They should feel snappy and stop the bike dead without any slack.
Inspect Brake Pads:

Inspect the brake pads (rim brakes or disc brakes).
Replace if they are almost worn out (thinner than 3mm) since it won't provide proper braking power.

Inspect and Adjust Brake Cables or Hydraulic Fluid:
If you have cable-actuated brakes, check that your cables aren’t frayed or loose.

For hydraulic brakes, look for fluid leaks and ensure the system is bled properly.
Why It Matters:
Inadequate brakes can result in a loss of control, which is especially dangerous with high-speed or downhill rides, which can increase a crash risk.

Front and Rear Suspension Condition

Chain & drivetrain: The drivetrain is critical for smooth pedaling and efficient power transfer. Dirty or dry — or both — your chains can result in skipping gears, squeaky rides or worse, more wear on your bike components.
How to Inspect and Clean Your Chain:

Check for Rust or Dirt:
A rusted or dirty chain can affect your performance. Regularly clean it with a degreaser and a brush.

Lubricate the Chain:
Keep it lubricated to have it run like a dream, choose a high-quality bike chain lubricant.

Less is more; apply a little and wipe off the excess lube to keep dirt from collecting.
Inspect Chain Wear:

Use a chain wear checker tool to measure stretch.
It’s time to replace the chain before it becomes too stretched and damages the cassette and chainrings.

Inspect Derailleur and Shifters:
Opera through all the gears, making sure they're going through the motions without skipping or grinding noises.



Why It Matters:
A properly serviced drivetrain minimizes friction, makes pedaling easier, and extends the life of your bike.
Bolts and Quick Releases

These include wheel energy transfers, such as if a wheel or wheel removal becomes detached mid-ride, or frame rigidity pinch points that can cause instability as one of the frame clamping points is an unsupported pivot. They must regularly be checked and tightened to prevent injuries.
How to Inspect Bolts and Quick Releases:

Frame and Handlebar Bolts:
Double-check all the important bolts as well — stem, handlebars, saddle, pedals.

Make sure to torque them according to the manufacturer's specifications using a torque wrench.
Wheels Quick Releases or Thru-Axles:

Make sure you are riding with your wheels attached correctly.
They need to be tight but not over-tightened if using quick release.

Check Pedal Tightness:
It can create a shaky and hard to pedal alternatively.


Why It Matters:
Loose components can cause mechanical failure while you're riding, resulting in potential accidents or damage to your bike.
Lights & Reflectors & Visibility

Day or night, visibility is vital for overall safety while riding. Motorists of all types can easily see you when you are properly lit and reflecting, which can help avoid potential accidents.

How to Guarantee Maximum Visibility:

Check Front and Rear Lights:
Make sure your front light is bright and fully charged (ideally 300+ lumens for night riding).

The rear lights must be red and flashing.
Check Reflectors and Visibility Equipment:

Make sure your bike reflectors (front, back and wheel) are attached.
Use high-visibility or reflective clothing, particularly in low illumination situations.

Test the Horn or Bell:
A functioning bell or horn can signal pedestrians and others riders that you are coming.


Why It Matters:
The more visible you are on the road, the less likely you will be involved in a collision with vehicles and pedestrians.

Takeaway: Make Safety Checks a Pre-Ride Habit

Spending only 5-10 minutes checking these five key parts of your bike before every ride can help you prevent accidents, mechanical failure, and avoid needless repair bills.