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Bicycle Safety Tips
Wear a helmet.
Everyone should wear a helmet on every ride
no matter how short. Your helmet should fit correctly and
meet all safety standards set by the Snell Memorial Foundation
or American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Know the rules of the road.
- Know your local traffic laws.
- Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits,
and lane markings
- Cycle single file, and on the right side
of the road (with traffic).
- Signal in advance of a turn; use correct
hand signals
- Yield to pedestrians; yield to other vehicles,
as appropriate.
- Make sure your bicycle is the proper size
and is safely maintained.
- Never wear headphones; they hinder your ability.
Be visible.
- Wear bright colored clothing (fluorescent
colors are particularly good).
- If you must rife at night wear light colored
clothing with reflective triangular patches and wristbands.
- Equip your bicycle with reflectors on the
front and rear. The rear deflectors should be red and at
least three inches across, pointed straight back to reflect
the headlights of vehicles at least 600 feet away.
- Attach bicycle reflectors to the pedals and
wheels. Wheel reflectors ca include retroreflective spokes,
cranks, and wheel rims.
- Use a bright, white headlight, preferably
one that makes you visible to drivers 500 feet away.
Share the road.
- Make eye contact, smile, or wave to communicate
with motorists. Courtesy and predictability are key to safe
cycling.
- Be aware of pedestrians and other vehicles.
Learn to anticipate their actions.
- Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid
the unexpected from parked cars.
- Keep control of your bicycle; be able to
look behind you and ride with one hand while signaling.
- Always check behind you before changing lanes.
- Be aware of potential hazards like road litter,
potholes, gravel, and storm grates.
- Make sure that books, clothes, and other
items are securely attached to the bicycle or carried in
a backpack.
- Use bells or horns to alert pedestrians and
vehicles.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation,
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