Journey Risk Assessments (and the importance of wearing a helmet!).

When cycling to work & back, I have always ensured I have worn a cycle helmet and had the correct safety equipment, it’s just standard - although this is not law in the UK. This morning I learnt first-hand why it is so important.

After removing my bike from the shed, I assessed the weather and noticed around where I reside, it looked ok. Wet ground, but not much ice, so I decided to continue with my journey.

What I did not take into account is what I could not see further on – black ice, twice!?

After approx. a minute into my journey, turning a corner, I hit the black ice (did not see it at all), coming down with a big thud to the head. I am in no doubt, that although there was no damage to my helmet (or my head), without the helmet, I would have been unconscious in sub-zero temperatures until I either came around or someone came past me – most likely with a big crack in my head.

I got up, shook myself down, fixed the bike and re-assessed. I could see that this was a particular part of the pavement with black ice, but nearly everywhere else looked okay. I decided to give it a go and continue, but at a really slow place.

Then, 3km further along, bang! Another section of black ice, this time landing on my side and ending up 15-yds away from my bike as I slid up the path!

Time to re-assess (after fixing the bike once again).

I was half-way to the office; do I try and continue or turn and go home (and risk waking up the little one). Decision was made to continue to the office but walk with the bike as conditions were just so unknown and I could not risk coming off a third time.

It took me 40 minutes longer, but it was definitely the right decision as I came across multiple sections of ice that I would have hit and come off the bile again.

The outcome, It may have taken me a lot longer to travel, but at least I arrived safely, although 1 battered laptop, multiple bruises, and a ballooned knee – but all in all in good shape.

It just shows you, that no matter how much you take risks into account, there are always aspects you cannot see that can knock you off track.

For tomorrow morning, the risk assessment has already been completed – bike is staying in the shed!

(PS: picture is not of my bike, but maybe one I should purchase for this kind of weather!)