|
|
|
Take the Right Route to Bicycle SafetyRonald Porep, Republished from SafetyIssues Issue 10 |
Volume 4 Issue 42May 2005 |
| We all go out on bicycles for both enjoyment and exercise. But are you biking safely? Here are some stops you need to make on the road to bicycle safety. Do not ride without a certified helmet. | |
|
Yes, there are government requirements for bike helmets so make sure your helmet has
information that it meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
standards. Why should you wear a helmet? 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. Next, is your bicycle ready for the road? |
 |
| Make sure you can stand over the top tube of your bicycle. Adjust your bicycle to fit you (see Owner’s Manual) and 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. For added convenience and safety, add a carrier to the back of your bicycle if you need to carry things. Of course, one of the key components of your bike you should always check before going out are your brakes. Consult your Bicycle Owner’s Manual or have a bicycle shop adjust the brakes. | |
|
Every time before going out on the road, be sure that when your hand brake levers are fully applied they do not touch the handlebars. And look at your brake pads to be sure each brake shoe pad is wearing evenly and never separated more than one eighth inch from the rim. And the proper biking apparel must be clothes that make you as visible as possible. |
 |
| Always wear neon, florescent, or other bright colors when riding a bicycle. Two more things before you hit the road. Avoid driving at night. It is far more dangerous to bicycle at night than during the day. Most bicycles are equipped for daylight use. If you HAVE to ride your bike at night, make sure you and the bike are prepared. Add the brightest lights you can find to the front and rear of your bicycle. Only ride in areas familiar to you. Brightly lit streets are best. Always assume you are not seen by a driver. 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. Wear retro-reflective clothing or material – not just white or florescent – especially on your ankles, wrists, back, and helmet. Children should never ride a bike at night. And, if it is wet outside, you may wish to stay off your bike as wet weather is also dangerous to bikers. If you must travel in wet weather, ride slowly and apply your brakes earlier as it takes more distance to stop. | |
| Now, you are ready for the road. Of course, like driving a car, riding a bike has safety rules you must follow. Be 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 and use special care on bridges. Learn your state’s rules of the road. Bicycles are vehicles so 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. Those rules usually include always signal your moves, be courteous to pedestrians and other vehicle operators and never wear headphones while riding as they impair your ability to hear traffic. |
|
|
Young children, typically under the age of nine, are not able to identify and adjust to many dangerous traffic situations so they should not be allowed to ride in the street unsupervised. Children who are permitted to ride in the street without supervision must have the necessary skills to safely follow the “rules of the road.” In some areas, officials have made special for bicyclists which can include bicycle lanes and routes as well as off road paths so take advantage of these whenever possible. Look and then go. |
|
|
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. 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. And, as your ride, be aware if your bicycle is not handling correctly. If your bicycle has quick release wheels, make sure they are firmly closed at all times and to use the safety retainer if there is one. And, 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 how your bike should operate, talk to your bicycle dealer before you ride your bicycle. Now, have a fun and safe ride. |
|
Email this article to a friendEmail a friend a link to our web site |
Back to Safety Issues... |
|
|
|
|
|
