Road Safety Tips Children and Cycling Bicycle Commuting Basics 10 Reasons Why You Should Wear a Helmet!

Road Safety Tips OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS - Cyclists must drive like other vehicles if they are to be taken seriously by motorists. NEVER RIDE WITH HEADPHONES; WEAR A HELMET - Always wear a helmet. Never wear headphones while riding a bike. NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC - Motorists aren't looking for cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. It is safer and common sense that requires cyclists to drive like other vehicles. HAND SIGNALS - Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you intend to do. Signal out of courtesy, and of self-protection. DON'T WEAVE BETWEEN PARKED CARS - Don't ride out to curb between parked cars unless they are far apart. Motorists may not see you when you try to move back into traffic. RIDE IN MIDDLE OF LANE IN SLOW TRAFFIC - Get in the middle of the lane at busy intersections and whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic. FOLLOW LANE MARKINGS - Don't turn left from the right lane. Don't go straight in a lane marked "right-turn only." CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO TURN LEFT - 2 Choices: (1) Like a car: signal, move into the left turn lane and then turn left. (2) Like a pedestrian: ride straight to the far side of a crosswalk, then walk your bike across. DON'T PASS ON THE RIGHT - Motorists may not look for or see a cyclist passing on the right. Learn to scan the road behind you while riding. Look back over your shoulder without swerving, or use a rear-view mirror. MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH DRIVERS - Assume that other drivers don't see you until you are sure that they do. Eye contact is important with any driver that might pose a threat to your safety. SCAN THE ROAD BEHIND - Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving. Some riders use rear-view mirrors. AVOID ROAD HAZARDS - Watch out for parallel-slat sewer grates, gravel, ice, or debris. Cross railroad tracks at right angles. KEEP BOTH HANDS READY TO BRAKE - You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra distance for stopping in the rain, since breaks are less efficient when wet. USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT - The law requires a white headlight (visible from at least 500 feet ahead) and a rear reflector or taillight (visible up to 300 feet from behind). DRESS APPROPRIATELY - In rain wear a poncho or waterproof suit. Dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes. Wear a sturdy helmet to protect your head. Wear bright coloured clothing. KEEP YOUR BIKE IN GOOD REPAIR - Adjust your bike to fit you and keep it working properly. Check brakes and tires regularly. Routine maintenance is simple and you can learn to do it yourself.

Children and Cycling Children Must Be Trained In Bicycle Operations 1. Until a child has learned to ride confidently and to follow the basic rules of the road, riding must be restricted to sidewalks, paths, and driveways. 2. To demonstrate basic competence a child must be able to: • Stop a bicycle quickly by using the brakes. • Start riding without wobbling out of a path one meter wide. • Stop and dismount without falling. • Ride in a straight line near the curb. 3. The most important rules of the road are: • Stop at intersections where the walk, driveway, or alley intersects a street (75% of child-bike accident deaths occur where driveways, alleys, and streets intersect.) • Ride to the right of the road, with traffic. • Do not ride at or after dusk. • Obey all traffic signals and stop signs. Wait for a green light. 4. Children who ride unsafely are at risk of a head injury and possibly death. It is the parent’s responsibility to teach bicycle safety in order to establish a strong awareness in their children. 5. The following factors are frequently associated with preventable injuries. • Inadequate rider visibility. • Riding a borrowed bike. • Riding double. • Not using a protective Helmet. Bicycle Commuting Basics Getting Started: Arrange for secure bike parking. Choose your route. Study maps, base your route on the traffic volume and the time of day you'll be riding, and consider roads that have bike lanes. Drive your route first. Assess shoulder construction, street surface and street condition of the route you are considering for your commute. Check the mechanical safety of your bike. See below, “Before You Ride” for more specifics. Obtain the necessary repair tools and learn how to use them. Consider bringing a spare tube, patch kit, tire irons, bike pump and a set of simple tools with you. Most bike shops can give you specific recommendations for your bike. Before You Ride: Make sure your bicycle is in good riding condition. On a periodic basis you should take it to a bicycle shop for a check-up or inspect the following things yourself: Brakes - Standing next to your bike, push it forward, squeezing each brake one at a time. Each brake should offer considerable resistance. Tires - Check the pressure with a gauge or by thumb pressure (it should be firm). The recommended pressure is normally printed on the side of your tire. Fill your tires using a hand pump to avoid over inflation or possible blowout caused by using gas station compressors intended for automobile tires. Seat - Adjust seat height so your knee is just slightly bent when the pedal is straight down. If minor adjustments are needed, make them incrementally, allowing your body to adjust to each new setting. Handlebars - Holding the front wheel still, try to move the handlebars from side to side. If the handlebars move more than the wheel, they need to be tightened. Steering - Holding the handlebars, depress the front brake lever and rock the bike back and forth over the front wheel. If you detect play or a knocking noise, the headset needs adjusted. If you find anything wrong with your bike make certain it is repaired before riding it. Don't chance riding an unsafe bicycle!   10 Reasons Why You Should Wear a Helmet! 1. Helmets are comfortable! Today's bicycle helmets weigh approximately half a pound and are manufactured with many air-circulating openings. Helmets are not any hotter than having your head exposed to the sun while riding. 2. Do I need a helmet if I don’t ride fast? Yes of course! Even if you were just sitting on your bike talking to a friend, a simple fall could cause a serious head injury. 3. Helmets are inexpensive. Some helmets cost as little as $20 and considering that wearing a helmet can be the difference between life or death, it’s worth every penny! 4. Will a helmet mess up my hair? Okay, yes. But a crash without a helmet can REALLY mess up your head. 5. Will a helmet make me look geeky? Do professional cyclist look geeky? Of course not, they’re pros! Drivers will also respect you more because wearing a helmet shows good sense! 6. Do I need a helmet if I don't ride on busy roads? Yes absolutely! Cars are involved in only 10% of bike-related injuries. Falling off your bike can occur on any road, trail or path. 7. Experienced cyclist wear helmets. Everyone falls off their bike whether they’re experienced or not. It only takes one fall to do permanent damage. 8. Helmets are Cool! Today’s helmets come in a variety of colours and designs. Find one you like so you'll wear it when you cycle! 9. Spread the word! Tell your friends to wear a helmet. If your friends don’t wear their helmets, maybe they don't realize that a helmet can save your life. Educate your friends and purchase your helmets together! 10. A helmet can save your life! Cyclists who wear helmets while riding their bikes decrease their chance for head injuries. Life is too precious to risk by not wearing a helmet!