Bicycle Safety Tips
These are some tips for your safety when riding a bicycle. Take the time to go over and teach injury prevention. Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in children, adolescents and young adults and head injury from a bicycle accident is very common.
- Always wear a properly fitting helmet when riding a bicycle. The straps should be fastened.
- Do not wear earphones when riding. This might prevent you from hearing car horns
- Children under 10 should ride on the sidewalk and never at night. Older children should ride in the street, on the right-hand side, in the direction of traffic. Ride in a single line, staying close to the curb. Ride at night only with proper lights and reflectors on your bicycle so others can see you.
- Watch for obstacles - wet leaves, branches, puddles, uneven road, storm grates, gravel or rocks, and curbs. Watch for doors opening on parked cars.
- Keep both hands on the handle bars and both feet on the pedals.
- Stop at all stop signs and traffic lights. Walk bikes through busy streets and intersections.
- Use hand signals when turning or stopping.
- Avoid drain grates, potholes, loose dirt, gravel and oil slicks.
- Do not try to carry a second person on your bike.
- Carrying heavy packages and books on a bicycle may cause the loss of control and falling.
- Give pedestrians the right of way.
- Watch for parked cars backing up, backing out of driveways, opening doors in front of you or pulling out into traffic.
- Never hitch a ride by holding onto a moving car or motorcycle.
- Be sure nothing will get caught in the chain such as loose pants, backpack straps, shoelaces. Wear the right shoes while riding. Sandals and flip flops or shoes with cleats may slip off the pedal. Never ride barefoot.
- Do not ride at night unless you have proper reflectors, head and tail lights. Wear reflective or light colored clothing.
- Keep bicycles adjusted and in good working condition.
- .When passing people or other bikers, pass on their left side. Call out "On your left", so they know what you are doing and they don't run in to you trying to get out of your way.