Tips for a Safer Ride
Remember that your bicycle is a vehicle. You follow the same rules of the road, and you have the same rights and responsibilities, as when driving a car.
-Be predictable-
Operating outside the rules of the road is unexpected and may lead to crashes.
-Be visible-
Wear bright colors during the day. Use reflectors and lights during the night. Make sure others can see you and you can see the road.
-Communicate with other drivers-
Make eye contact with them to be sure you have been seen. Signal your turns and lane changes.
-Be aware of hazards-
Watch the road ahead for surface hazards like broken glass, sand and potholes. Watch out for traffic, including pedestrians, at intersections and driveways. Trees, shrubs and fences can create visual screens. Weather and light conditions create visual hazards, too. Adapt your riding style to minimize these and other hazards.
-Ride with traffic-
Riding against traffic is against the law–as well as being unpredictable–especially to drivers at intersections, driveways or parking spaces. Bike lanes go one-way only, in the same direction as adjacent traffic, unless signed otherwise. Ride at least 3 feet from parked cars to avoid being hit by a suddenly opened car door and to be visible. Always look behind you for traffic before changing your position on the road. Cross railroad tracks at a right angle to avoid getting your front wheel caught and falling.
-Ride defensively-
Be aware of what is going on around you, and watch for others' mistakes. Some common situations to watch for include: a motorist coming towards you who turns left in front of you; a motorist passing you and then turning right in front of you; a motorist pulling out from a stop sign, driveway, or parking space without yielding to you.
-Wear a helmet-
Head injuries cause 75% of bicyclist deaths. Recent studies indicate that wearing a helmet can reduce your chance of a head injury by 85%. Protect yourself from the unexpected by wearing your helmet whenever you ride.
-Choose your route carefully !!!-
