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No.
1
Protect
Your Head. Wear a Helmet.
Never
ride a bicycle without a helmet. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend that bicyclists
wear a helmet that complies with the CPSC standard.
Bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by 85 percent.
Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on the
head. For children, use the extra padding that comes
with the helmet to ensure a proper fit. This padding
can be removed as the child’s head grows.
No.
2
Assure Bicycle Readiness. Make Sure Your Bicycle is
Adjusted Properly
Make
sure you can stand over the top tube of your bicycle.
Adjust your bicycle to fit you (see Owner’s manual).
Before using your bicycle, check to make sure all parts
are secure and working well. The handlebars should be
firmly in place and turn easily. Your wheels must be
straight and secure. Add a carrier to the back of your
bicycle if you need to carry things.
No.
3
Stop it. Always Check Brakes Before Riding.
Always
control your speed by using your brakes. If your bicycle
has hand brakes, apply the rear brake slightly before
the front brake. Always keep your brakes adjusted. If
you cannot stop quickly, adjust your brakes. Consult
your Bicycle Owner’s Manual or have a bicycle
shop adjust the brakes. When your hand brake levers
are fully applied, they should not touch the handlebars.
Each brake shoe pad should wear evenly and never be
separated more than one eighth inch from the rim. Ride
slowly in wet weather and apply
your brakes earlier – it takes more distance to
stop.
No.
4
See and Be Seen.
Wear
clothes that make you more visible. Always wear neon,
florescent, or other bright colors when riding a bicycle.
No.
5
Avoid Biking At Night.
It
is far more dangerous to bicycle at night than during
the day. Most bicycles are equipped for daylight use
and need to be adapted for nighttime use. If you must
ride at night, you should do the following:
- Ride
with reflectors that meet CPSC’s requirements.
These should be permanently installed on bicycles
for daytime use also. If a carrier is added, make
sure the rear reflector remains visible.
-
Add the brightest lights you can find to the front
and rear of your bicycle.
- Wear
retro-reflective clothing or material – not
just white or florescent – especially on your
ankles, wrists, back, and helmet.
- Only
ride in areas familiar to you. Brightly lit streets
are best. Always assume you are not seen by a driver.
-
Young children should NOT ride at night.
No.
6
Stay Alert. Always Keep a Lookout for Obstacles in Your
Path.
Stay
alert at all times. Watch out for potholes, cracks,
expansion joints, railroad tracks, wet leaves, drainage
grates, or anything that could make you fall. Before
going around any object, scan ahead, and behind you
for a gap in traffic. Plan your move, signal your intentions,
and then do what you planned. If you are unsure, or
lack the skill to handle an especially rough area, pull
off to the right side of the road and walk your bicycle
around the rough area. Be especially careful in wet
weather and when there could be ice or frost on your
path.
-
Cross all railroad tracks at a 90 degree angle and
proceed slowly.
-
Use special care on bridges.
No.
7
Go with the Flow. The Right Way is the Safe Way.
Ride
on the right side in a straight predictable path.
Always go single file in the same direction as other
vehicles. Riding against traffic puts you where motorists
don’t expect you. They may not see you, and
may pull across your path, or turn into you. Young
children, typically under the age of nine, are not
able to identify
and adjust to many dangerous traffic situations, and
therefore, should not be allowed to ride in the street
unsupervised. Children who are permitted to ride in
the street without supervision should have the necessary
skills to safely follow the “rules of the road.”
No.
8
Check for Traffic. Always be Aware of the Traffic
Around You.
Over
70 percent of car-bicycle crashes occur at driveways
or other intersections. Before you enter any street
or intersection, check for traffic. Always look left-right-left,
and walk your bicycle into the street to begin your
ride. If already in the street, always look behind
you for a break in traffic, then signal, before going
left or right. Watch for left or right turning traffic.
No.
9
Learn the Rules of the Road. Obey Traffic Laws.
Bicycles
are considered vehicles. Bicyclists must obey the
same rules as motorists. Read your State drivers’
handbook, and learn and follow all the traffic signs,
laws, and rules for operating a vehicle on the road.
Always signal your moves. Be courteous to pedestrians
and other vehicle operators. Never wear headphones
while riding as they impair your ability to hear traffic.
Become familiar with the accommodations that are available
for bicyclists in your area. These include bicycle
lanes and routes as well as off road paths. Take advantage
of these whenever possible.
No.
10
Don't Flip over your Bicycle. Wheels Should Be Securely
Fastened.
If
your bicycle has quick release wheels, it is your
responsibility to make sure they are firmly closed
at all times and to use the safety retainer if there
is one. Check your wheels before every ride, after
any fall, or after transporting your bicycle. Read
your Owner’s Manual for instructions and follow
them. If you are even slightly confused about what
“firmly closed” means, talk to your bicycle
dealer before you ride your bicycle.
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