BIKE SAFETY
Bicycling is one of the most popular recreational activities in the U.S. and an important means of transportation. Sixty-seven million cyclists ride 15 billion hours annually, mostly for recreation. Every year approximately 500,000 people suffer bicycle-related injuries serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment. Of those injuries, approximately 350,000 are to children ages 14 and under, and 250 of them are fatal. Many of these injuries and deaths could be prevented. For example, using a properly adjusted and correctly worn helmet every time you ride can reduce the chance of head injury by 85% and brain injury as much as 88%.
 A properly fitted helmet should ride level on the head and not move. If a helmet moves when worn, adjust side and chin straps and add sizing pads to prevent the helmet from sliding. Double check the helmet before every ride.
Bicycles are vehicles, and riders must follow the rules of the road. |
| |  Stay to the right and ride with traffic. |
| | Stop at all stop signs, lights and yield signs. |
| | Use appropriate hand signals when turning and stopping. Look behind before turning across traffic lanes. |
| | Pedestrians always have the right of way. |
Don't assume motorists can see you. |
| | Avoid riding at night if possible. If you must ride after dark, make sure you are visible. In addition to light or brightly colored clothing, wear retroreflective material such as a vest and reflective straps on arms and legs. Retroreflective patches can be purchased inexpensively at fabric stores. Use a front and rear light -- reflectors alone are not adequate for a motorist to see a cyclist. |
Keep your bike properly maintained. Have it checked over by a competent bike mechanic at least once a year.
While traveling with "tunes" may be fun, avoid wearing headphones while bicycling. Headphones can impair your ability to hear traffic noise.
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