The only way you can have confidence that your bike is roadworthy is by conducting regular checks. Whenever you go for a ride, check seat adjustment, tyre pressure & brake effectiveness. If your seat is not properly adjusted, you will lose power & you run the risk of experiencing back or knee pain. When you are sitting on the seat with both feet out to the side, your toes should be just touching the ground. Under-inflated tyres are the major cause of punctures. The dangers of your brakes not being in good working condition should be obvious.
For your own comfort, safety & protection, you should wear brightly-coloured tops, padded bike pants & gloves. Don't get on your bike unless your helmet is properly fitted. Like riding a horse, you should get on & get off from the left side. With your left foot on the ground, & your right foot on the pedal, the pedal should be in the "two o'clock" power position for maximum acceleration. The ball of your foot should rest on the pedal, not your heel . Riding with your heel on the pedal is about as inefficient as running on your heels. Make sure you LOOK before you take off. When you stop, make sure that your bike is not obstructing others.
When you ride, it is very important to ride predictably (which generally means in a straight line), continually scan in all directions, & show consideration for others. Make sure you use proper hand signals (when it is safe to take a hand off the handlebar). Don't ride in areas that are prohibited to cyclists. Don't swerve suddenly, or brake without warning. Take "blind" corners wide & slow. Legally, your bike is classed as a vehicle, & you are bound by the road rules. Good riders anticipate what is ahead. Riding in formation is an advanced skill that requires plenty of communication, in order to ride with enough control, for example, to maintain optimal space between bikes.
If you abuse your bike, it won't perform best for you. Doing slideouts can buckle your wheels & wear out your tyres. Hanging monos, riding around with one or both hands off the handlebar, or getting as much "air" as you can may make you look like a hero ... until you stack.
leaning is an important part of steering. When you are leaning into a corner at speed, keep your inside pedal high so you don't catapult into the air. When braking in the wet, rememb er to squeeze your brakes on earlier than normal because it can take 50% longer to stop. If you apply your front brake only, you could flip. When you are going down steep hills, you need to slip back on your seat, & keep low.
Many "gun" riders think they know more than they do, but riding bikes involves a complex set of skills that requires great concentration in order to have the best fun without shredding yourself.
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