Cycling is a dual sport – one that both amateurs and professionals embrace. An excellent form of environmentally friendly transportation, cycling is ideal for getting to work or school. Cyclists invest in a variety of cycle-friendly gear, which includes helmets, pads and even sunglasses.

Some people feel that it's not important to invest in a good pair of cycling sunglasses, which simply isn't true. Cycling sunglasses help protect riders' eyes from debris, dust and harmful UV rays.

There are six main components to cycling sunglasses.

1. Lenses – The main part of the glasses, the lens protects the eyes. Polycarbonate lens are highly recommended for cyclists.
2. Rims – This is the front portion of the frame, where the lenses attach.
3. Bridge – This hugs the nose, ultimately holding the weight of the frame.
4. Nose Pads – Attaching to the frame and resting on the nose, these help keep frames comfortable and steady, providing much needed airflow.
5. Temples – These are the areas where the arms attach to the sides near the lenses. When they swing out, they easily slide over the ears.
6. Sweat Bar – This is an extra piece of the frame, which is located above the bridge and gives some styles additional support.

Cycling is an intense and fun sport. Sunglasses help improve visibility, block damaging UV rays and help prevent debris from entering the eye. By nature, cyclists are prone to dust, bugs, dirt and other debris. This can cause eye damage or simply act as a distraction to the rider. If the rider becomes distracted, this can ultimately result in an accident, especially if the driver enters oncoming traffic. Cycling sunglasses don't need to be expensive to prevent potential eye injuries. Even inexpensive models can help reduce dust and debris.

Sunglasses help improve cyclists' visibility, allowing them to clearly see the road, which allows for minimal distractions. It's common for sweat to form around the eyes and forehead, which means it's even more difficult for cyclists to see potential road hazards. Bright sunlight is also extremely distracting, especially when it reflects off bodies of water or off the pavement, which can result in temporary blindness.

Polarized, or mirrored, sunglasses are best for helping improve visibility and blocking out light and glare. Dark tinted lenses are best for bright light conditions, while rose or yellow tinted lenses help further reduce glare.

Olympic Eyewear carries a wide assortment of Biohazard sunglasses and X-Loop sunglasses, which are ideal for sport-related activities, such as cycling.