Bicycle Safety Information
by
Michael Burton
and
Zach Bowden
by
Michael Burton
and
Zach Bowden
Being Seen
Visibility is very important while biking. Bikers need to be easily seen by drivers of motor vehicals to avoid getting hit. This can be done by:
-wearing bright, colorful, and reflective clothing
-using reflectors or lights on your bike
-using a bell to be noticed
Make sure the clothing you wear does not snag on any part of the bike like the chain rings. This could cause you to crash.
These techniques are effective and worth the low price.
Helmet Safety
Always wear a helmet when you ride a bike. Riding without one puts you at risk of a brain injury. Wearing one does not mean you can be reckless, but it will help protect you in case you fall.
Helmets sold in the United States have to pass the Consumer Product Safety Commission's standards. These helmets contain a CPSC sticker. Make sure the helmet you use has been approved.
Taking care of your helmet is important to keep it from getting damaged. One a helmet gets dropped, or crashed in, it becomes cracked and is not safe to use. If you break a helmet, buy a new one.
Fitting a helmet ensures that the helmet will help protect your head. It should be worn level, covering your forehead, with the straps fastened. The plastic pieces on the straps (ladder locks) should be directly under you ears. The helmet should fit snugly on your head so that you cannot twist it on you head. To check if you have correctly fitted your helmet, take it into a bike store.
Helmet fitting instructions
Bike Fitting
Ride a bike that fits you. The bike should fit you so that when you straddle the top bar, your feet are flat on the ground with around two inches of space between you and the top bar. A bike store can usually help fit you to a bike.
Before You Ride
-Check your brakes to make sure they do not stick or are worn.
-Check the tires for the correct tire pressure.
-Check the chain and keep it well oiled.
-Check that the wheels, seat and handlebar are secure.
Where to Ride
Riding in the road can be dangerous if you don't know what to do.
Ride on the side of the road so that you are moving with the direction of traffic.
Ride in the designated bike lane whenever possible. Bike lanes are made to help separate traffic from bikers to improve safety. When there is no bike lane to ride in and you must ride in the road, it is sometimes safer to ride towards the center of your lane rather than hugging the curb. This is true because you can be easily seen by cars, it prevents cars from getting too close while passing on narrow roads, and makes room in case a car door of a parked car opens.
Ride on non-busy roads or bike paths to help avoid traffic.
Avoid riding through puddles, wet leaves or storm drains which could cause you to fall.
Listen to Traffic
Being aware of traffic around you reduces your chances of bieng hit. Do not listen to mp3 players while riding so you can hear cars, pedestrians and other bikers approaching.
Obey the Rules
Follow the rules of the road. These include stopping at all stop signs and red stop lights. Use hand signals to let others know where you are turning to.
To view a full list of laws in every US state pertaining to bicyclists visit
http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm
Visibility is very important while biking. Bikers need to be easily seen by drivers of motor vehicals to avoid getting hit. This can be done by:
-wearing bright, colorful, and reflective clothing
-using reflectors or lights on your bike
-using a bell to be noticed
Make sure the clothing you wear does not snag on any part of the bike like the chain rings. This could cause you to crash.
These techniques are effective and worth the low price.
Helmet Safety
Always wear a helmet when you ride a bike. Riding without one puts you at risk of a brain injury. Wearing one does not mean you can be reckless, but it will help protect you in case you fall.
Helmets sold in the United States have to pass the Consumer Product Safety Commission's standards. These helmets contain a CPSC sticker. Make sure the helmet you use has been approved.
Taking care of your helmet is important to keep it from getting damaged. One a helmet gets dropped, or crashed in, it becomes cracked and is not safe to use. If you break a helmet, buy a new one.
Fitting a helmet ensures that the helmet will help protect your head. It should be worn level, covering your forehead, with the straps fastened. The plastic pieces on the straps (ladder locks) should be directly under you ears. The helmet should fit snugly on your head so that you cannot twist it on you head. To check if you have correctly fitted your helmet, take it into a bike store.
Helmet fitting instructions
Bike Fitting
Ride a bike that fits you. The bike should fit you so that when you straddle the top bar, your feet are flat on the ground with around two inches of space between you and the top bar. A bike store can usually help fit you to a bike.
Before You Ride
-Check your brakes to make sure they do not stick or are worn.
-Check the tires for the correct tire pressure.
-Check the chain and keep it well oiled.
-Check that the wheels, seat and handlebar are secure.
Where to Ride
Riding in the road can be dangerous if you don't know what to do.
Ride on the side of the road so that you are moving with the direction of traffic.
Ride in the designated bike lane whenever possible. Bike lanes are made to help separate traffic from bikers to improve safety. When there is no bike lane to ride in and you must ride in the road, it is sometimes safer to ride towards the center of your lane rather than hugging the curb. This is true because you can be easily seen by cars, it prevents cars from getting too close while passing on narrow roads, and makes room in case a car door of a parked car opens.
Ride on non-busy roads or bike paths to help avoid traffic.
Avoid riding through puddles, wet leaves or storm drains which could cause you to fall.
Listen to Traffic
Being aware of traffic around you reduces your chances of bieng hit. Do not listen to mp3 players while riding so you can hear cars, pedestrians and other bikers approaching.
Obey the Rules
Follow the rules of the road. These include stopping at all stop signs and red stop lights. Use hand signals to let others know where you are turning to.
To view a full list of laws in every US state pertaining to bicyclists visit
http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm
Bicycle Safety Information
by
Michael Burton
and
Zach Bowden
by
Michael Burton
and
Zach Bowden
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