Quick Pre-Ride Check: 60 Seconds to Safer Cycling

Every ride should start with a 60-second safety check. Not a full inspection—just enough to catch the problems that strand you or cause crashes. Here’s the routine I use before every ride.

Tires (15 seconds)

Squeeze both tires. You’re checking for obvious low pressure, not measuring PSI. Spin each wheel and watch for wobbles or bulges. A bulging sidewall means don’t ride—that tire is about to fail.

Brakes (15 seconds)

Squeeze each lever firmly. It should stop well before hitting the bar. If the lever pulls to the grip, your brakes need immediate attention. Roll the bike forward and hit both brakes—do the wheels stop?

Quick Releases or Thru-Axles (15 seconds)

Grab each wheel and try to rock it side-to-side. Any looseness means the axle isn’t secured. Quick release levers should require firm palm pressure to close. Thru-axles should be torqued properly.

Drivetrain (15 seconds)

Lift the rear wheel and spin the cranks. Listen for grinding or clicking. Shift through a few gears. If it won’t shift or makes terrible noises, investigate before riding.

This check won’t catch everything, but it catches the failures that matter. Build the habit.