Before you pull your bike out of the garage, let's find out how to stay safe on two wheels.
- WEAR A HELMET
- RIDING RIGHT SIZED BIKE
- WEAR BRIGHT COLOURED CLOTHES
- AVOID HEADPHONES
- NUTS,BOLTS & STRAPS
- TIRES AND WHEELS
- BE SEEN, BE SAFE!
Your bike helmet should fit you properly. You don't want it too small or too big. Never wear a hat under your bike helmet. If you're unsure if your helmet fits you well, ask someone at a bike store or follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions for fit,use and care.Once you have the right helmet, you need to wear it the right way so it will protect you. It should be worn level and cover your forehead. The straps should always be fastened.
When you are on your bicycle, stand straddling the top bar of your bike so that both feet are flat on the ground and there should be 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of space between you and the top bar.
Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your bike also can help you stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you. And if they see you, that means they're less likely to run into you.
Avoid wearing headphones because the music can distract you from noises around you, such as a car or bus blowing its horn so you can get out of the way.
Make sure nothing is loose. Lift the front wheel off the ground by two or three inches, then let it bounce on the ground. Anything sound,feel or loose ? If so, secure them. If you're not sure, ask someone with experience to check
Make sure tires are correctly inflated. Check by putting one hand on the saddle, one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem, then bouncing your weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection. Compare what you see with how it looks when you know the tires are correctly inflated; and adjust if necessary.
Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike.
Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side even slightly, or rubs against or hits the brake pads, take the bike to a qualified bike shop to have the wheel trued.
You are sharing the road or the path with others - motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists. Respect their rights.
Ride defensively. Always assume that others do not see you.
Ride in designated bike lanes, on designated bike paths or as close to the edge of the road as possible, in the direction of traffic flow or as directed by local governing laws.
Stop at stop signs and traffic lights
