“A good place to start is to make sure someone knows the route you are training on and when you are expected to return. This will help them raise the alarm immediately in case something goes wrong,” says Hulme.
“Secondly, make sure you wear bright reflective clothing that is visible to other road users at night. A reflective strip on your shoes will not be enough.”
Here are other safety measures:
· Make sure your cellphone is properly charged so that you are able to call for help in case of an emergency.
· Don’t use the same training route every day. Varying the route makes it difficult for any would-be criminal to anticipate your movements, while the change in scenery can also make the physical exertion more bearable for you.
· Leave the headphones at home. It is better to remain aware of your surroundings at all times so that you can hear any oncoming vehicles or other potential risks to your safety.
· Take along enough money to be able to catch a bus or a taxi, or even make a phone call from a payphone, if need be.
· If you have an alarm system at home, remember to activate it before leaving for your training ride or run. Lock all the doors and gates, so that your loved ones can be safe.
