January is a popular time for new beginnings. Among the gym memberships and lifestyle changes, many people also receive new bicycles or electric scooters as gifts. While these vehicles offer freedom and convenience, they also introduce new risks — particularly when inexperienced riders take to the road without sufficient preparation.
This period calls for awareness from everyone sharing the road.
Contents
New Riders Need Time to Learn
Electric scooters and modern bikes accelerate quickly and handle differently from traditional bicycles. New riders may underestimate braking distances, struggle with balance, or react unpredictably when faced with traffic, potholes, or sudden obstacles.
Before riding on public roads, it is essential to practise in a safe, controlled environment such as a quiet street, empty car park, or designated cycle area. Learning how the vehicle responds to braking, turning, and uneven surfaces builds confidence and reduces risk.
Protective Equipment Is Not Optional
Helmets, reflective clothing, and appropriate footwear are crucial, even for short journeys. January brings shorter daylight hours and lower visibility, increasing the importance of being seen by drivers.
Bright clothing and reflective elements help riders stand out, particularly at junctions and roundabouts where visibility is already reduced.
Other Road Users Must Adapt Too
Drivers may suddenly encounter more bikes and scooters than usual in January, often ridden by people still gaining experience. This can lead to hesitation, wobbling, or unexpected manoeuvres.
Extra patience is essential. Allow more space when overtaking, anticipate slower reactions, and avoid sounding horns or rushing past. A few extra seconds can prevent serious incidents.
Shared Responsibility on the Road
Road safety is a shared responsibility. New riders must understand that they are part of traffic, not separate from it. Equally, drivers must recognise that vulnerable road users deserve time and space to develop confidence.
Clear communication — signalling intentions early, by all road users, making eye contact where possible, and respecting priority rules — helps everyone coexist more safely.
Start the Year Safely
The New Year is an ideal time to build good habits. For riders, this means practising before venturing into traffic and using proper safety equipment. For drivers, it means recognising that January brings change to the road environment.
By approaching new bikes and scooters with patience, preparation, and awareness, everyone can contribute to a safer start to the year.
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