Bicycle Safety Tips
Using a bicycle as your
primary means of transportation can be fun, cost effective, and help keep
you physically fit. However, bicycle riding poses many risks, even for the
experienced rider.
 Scraped
knees and elbows are commonplace, but even a minor spill may result in
serious head and brain injury. Statistics show that between 70-80% of all
fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries. Although helmet usage is very
low (15-18), studies have proven that bicycle helmets are 85-88% effective
in mitigating total head and brain injuries.
In addition to using helmets and knee pads,
keep in mind the following safety tips:
- Check safety equipment before starting.
- Obey all traffic laws.
- Ride in single file.
- Ride as close to the right edge of the
road as possible.
- Avoid riding at night.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars.
A bicycle is recognized legally as a
vehicle and must be driven in a manner consistent with any other vehicle
on the road. Although a bicycle is very maneuverable, this does not mean a
cyclist can violate traffic laws with impunity. Always follow the rules of
the road, and obey all traffic laws.
Bicycles are relatively quiet. Pedestrians
and other traffic may not be aware of you. You must communicate your
presence or intentions to pedestrians and other traffic when changing
lanes, turning or passing. Cyclists should choose routes that are
convenient and safe; try not to ride in extremely heavy traffic.
A cyclist should always exercise due
caution. The following are some basic cycling guidelines:
- Lane Position - Usually you should ride
in the extreme right lane to your desired destination. Other acceptable
lane positions are just to the right of the motorized traffic when the
lane is wide enough to safely share the center of the lane, or slightly
to the right of the center (the right-hand tire track).
- High Speed - If able to keep up with the
flow of traffic, use the entire lane -- take the lane.
- Lane Changing - Plan ahead, look behind
and signal your intentions. Act carefully, smoothly and deliberately.
Never move in front of another vehicle so closely as to constitute a
hazard.
- Turning Lane - When using a turning
lane, maintain your position in the right-hand side of the lane
throughout the turn. This technique will enable you to end up in the
right lane on the street you are turning on to, without crossing in
front of traffic that may be either behind or along side of you.
Helmets and Accessories
Seventy-five percent of bicycling
fatalities are due to head injuries incurred as a result of cyclists
falling and striking their heads. Wearing a bicycle helmet with the chin
strap secured is mandatory when operating a bicycle. To be effective, the
helmet must fit properly and sit level on your head.
When purchasing bicycle helmets for you and
your family, look for helmets that meet or exceed the standards set by the
American National Standard Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial
Foundation.
Use of shatter-resistant protective eye
wear and half-finger bicycling gloves is also recommended. Gloves reduce
hand fatigue caused by continually gripping the handlebars and also offer
some protection for your palms in case of a fall.
| 
