May is National Bike Month and Capital Metro wants to take the opportunity to remind everyone the importance of sharing the road safely with cyclists.

Austin has a strong bicycling culture and cyclists are so commonplace we sometimes take them for granted. Throughout the month of May we plan to offer safety reminders and tips to make the most of Austin living if you do it from the seat of a bicycle.

One of the most basic reminders is to always wear a helmet. We have more motorized vehicles on the road thanks to the region’s rapid growth. That added traffic creates greater opportunities to encounter distracted drivers. Wearing a helmet could be a difference-maker in surviving a collision with another vehicle.

It doesn’t matter where you ride, or the distance of your trip, a helmet is essential. Make sure it’s the right size, ensure it fits snugly, it should rest properly on top of your head and it has to be strapped on.

Check back with Capital Metro throughout National Bike Month.