Cyclists, don’t sleep on this important safety gear

Your sunglasses don’t just protect your eyes from the sun and pollution

Art by Saii Shah | Lead photo courtesy of Oakley

Did you know that Filipinos looked for bicycles nearly three times as much in June 2020 compared to April 2020? According to Iprice.ph, Google search volumes on bicycles in 2020 increased by 163 percent in the Philippines.

Given that there are more people investing in bicycles, it’s also important that we keep encouraging cyclists to stay safe on the road. Besides knowing the right hand signals, protocols when crashes happen or the do’s and don’ts when it comes to urban cycling, every cyclist must wear the right safety gear as well. And one gear we would always advocate for is sunglasses.

Sunglasses protect your eyes from dust and debris

It’s unavoidable to encounter flying objects when you take on the road. Dirt and debris can come from passing cars, buses or jeeps, or simply from being exposed outside. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from dust, debris, pebbles, bugs, dirt, and whatever that can get into your eyes and cause distractions and possible injury. 

Sunglasses shield your eyes from UV exposure

Constant exposure to UVA and UVB radiation is detrimental to your vision. That’s why the right cycling sunglasses like Oakley’s clifden round (Available nationwide online via Shopee and Lazada), for example, can help. These are made of plutonite and polarized lenses that filter the impact of ultraviolet radiation.

Sunglasses like these block 99 percent of reflected glare and sharpen your vision at every angle—a weapon you need when cycling under scorching conditions. It also helps you avoid sun-related eye problems like macular degeneration, cataracts, and pterygium or surfer’s eye.

Sunglasses keep you focused

Aside from debris and the sun, sunglasses also lessen the distraction that comes with city biking. In Metro Manila, cyclists have to deal with vehicles, undisciplined drivers, glare from street signs and buildings, intersections, signaling turns, and other cyclists. It also doesn’t help that Manila isn’t exactly the most bike-friendly city yet. That’s why it’s important to invest in sunglasses that provide superior optical clarity and razor-sharp vision to keep your eyes focused on the road.

When function meets fashion

Let’s face it—wearing sunglasses makes you look good. It’s just as much of a fashion accessory as it is a functional piece in your cycling kit. They come in a number of shapes, colors, and sizes. There are a vast array of appealing, affordable, and quality sunglasses in the market today. Make sure to invest in sunglasses because protecting your eyes is just as important as protecting your head with a helmet.