Three Things Every Canadian Cyclist Needs to Know Before Their Next Ride

Three Things Every Canadian Cyclist Needs to Know Before Their Next Ride

The research on cyclist visibility, sunburn and skin cancer risk will surprise you — especially if you’re over 50!
By Wilbur Tarnasky, Inventor of ShadyRider

Giveaway – Ontario By Bike has 6 ShadyRider’s to give to readers

Enter HERE, before June 11, 2026

You’ve checked your tires. You’ve filled your water bottle. You’ve strapped on your helmet. But there are three things most Canadian cyclists still aren’t protecting themselves from — and the research behind each one is more serious than most riders realize.

1. Drivers Can’t See You — Even in Broad Daylight
Here’s the stat that should stop every cyclist cold: nearly 40% of fatal cyclist crashes involve a driver who simply failed to see the rider in time. And before you assume this happens at night — nearly 80% of cyclist collisions happen in broad daylight. Researchers call it “looked-but-failed-to-see” — drivers scan for cars, and their brains literally filter out cyclists even when they’re riding in plain sight. Studies involving over 1,400 drivers and cyclists confirm this is happening on roads across Canada every single day. The fix isn’t complicated — rear reflective markings, bright colours, and wide brims that make your profile recognizably human rather than an anonymous shape on the road. But most cyclists are riding without any of these.

2. You’re Getting Burned Worse Than You Think
During an eight-stage professional race, cyclists were exposed to UV levels more than 30 times over the internationally recommended daily limit. You don’t have to be racing the Tour de Suisse for this to apply to you. Research shows that nearly half of recreational cyclists — 45.6% — reported at least one sunburn in the previous year alone. And one third of cyclists who ride more than seven hours a week apply no sunscreen at all. The problem isn’t just willpower. Research from the British Association of Dermatologists found that up to 80% of sunscreen washes off through sweat during a ride. So even cyclists who apply it properly are unprotected within an hour. The areas taking the worst hit? Your neck, ears and face — the exact zones that are tilted toward the sun in a cycling position and almost never adequately covered.

3. If You’re Over 50 This Affects You More Than Anyone
Skin cancer is predominantly a disease of people over 50. At least one in five Canadians will develop skin cancer by age 70. The majority of melanoma cases occur in men over 55. The reason isn’t just cumulative exposure — though that’s a factor. Aging skin becomes thinner, heals more slowly, and loses its ability to repair UV-damaged DNA. Suffering just five sunburns over a lifetime more than doubles the risk of developing melanoma — and every unprotected ride adds to that total. For cyclists who have been riding for decades, the damage is already accumulating. The question is what you do about it starting now.

What Actually Helps? Physical barriers that don’t wash off with sweat are the most practical solution — a wide brim side and back, some sort of front brim/visors that shield the face,protect neck and ears across the entire ride, and cooling shade to deter dehydration. Cowboys have been doing it for decades! These elements and more also make you visible to drivers at any time of day (or night) to deter accidents.

The ShadyRider was built by a Canadian inventor specifically for this purpose — it snaps onto any existing helmet in seconds, blocks 99% of UV rays, and puts a rear reflective logo exactly where drivers’ headlights will find it. Canadian made. Designed for riders who take their health as seriously as they take their riding. Learn more at theshadyrider.com — and use code RIDER15 for 15% off your first order.

Wilbur Tarnasky is a Canadian outdoor sports enthusiast and inventor with over 20 years of experience in active outdoor living. He created The ShadyRider after recognizing a gap in cyclist protection that no existing product addressed.

See more, stay cool, ride safer.
www.theshadyrider.com

Giveaway – Ontario By Bike has 6 ShadyRider’s to give to readers

Enter HERE, before June 11, 2026