As autumn dwindles, dusk leaves less daylight for runners and bicyclists. Less daylight means that runners and bicyclists who choose to exercise outdoors need to heed caution to avoid dangerous situations.
Although it would be much safer to run and bike in the morning, many of us are hard pressed to change our fitness routine to a new schedule. Here are a few tips to help you stay out of harm’s way during your outdoor workouts throughout the winter:
1. Be visible for others. Always wear brightly colored and reflective clothing while running and biking outdoors at night. It helps make you visible for motorists and others. Try using blinking lights or a headlamp for areas known for heavy traffic.
2. Only venture out in well-lit areas. By staying in areas that are well-lit, you can avoid going unseen and bypass dangerous situations that arise during nightfall.
3. Keep your fitness adventures to familiar areas. During the winter, you should exercise only in areas that are familiar to you. By staying within familiar boundaries, you can help yourself avoid potentially unsafe situations, like potholes or bumps, which could cause injury. Always remain aware, even familiar areas can pose a threat at night.
4. Always carry your cell phone. It is always a good idea to carry your cell phone, along with a form of identification, while exercising outdoors at night, so that if an emergency does arise you have a way of seeking help. It is also a good idea to let someone know exactly what you are doing and where you are heading before going out to exercise in the dark.
5. Try having safety in numbers. By running with a buddy (or a few), you can make your nighttime run or bike much safer. Two or more runners are both more visible and help runners be more aware, and if a situation does arise, a group of runners provides more help.
Follow these few safety tips this winter to make your workouts safe but and productive.