Illinois Department of Transportation Summer 2009 Traffic ... - Caution

BICYCLE SAFETYBICYCLE SAFETY TIPSBicycle riding is fun, healthy and a great way to beindependent. But it is important to remember that abicycle is not a toy; it is a vehicle!Follow some basic safety tips when you ride.Before using your bicycle, make sure it is ready toride. You should always inspect your bike to makesure all parts are secure and working properly.Remember to:Adjust Your Bicycle to FitStand over your bicycle. There should be one totwo inches between you and the top tube (bar)if using a road bike and three to four inches if amountain bicycle. The seat should be level frontto back. The seat height should be adjusted toallow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fullyextended. The handlebar height should be at thesame level with the seat.Check Your EquipmentBefore riding, inflate tires properly and check thatyour brakes work.See and Be SeenWhether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather or atnight, you need to be seen by others. Wearingwhite has not been shown to make you morevisible. Rather, always wear neon, fluorescent orother bright colors when riding day or night. Alsowear something that reflects light, such as reflectivetape or markings or flashing lights. Remember, justbecause you can see a driver does not mean thedriver can see you.Control Your BicycleAlways ride with at least one hand on thehandlebars. Carry books and other items in abicycle carrier or backpack.Avoid Road HazardsBe on the lookout for hazards such as potholes,broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves and dogs. Allthese hazards can cause a crash. If you are ridingwith friends and you are in the lead, yell out andpoint to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.Avoid Riding at NightIt is far more dangerous to ride at night than duringthe day because you are harder for others to see.If you have to ride at night, wear something thatmakes you more easily seen by others. Makesure you have reflectors on the front and rear ofyour bicycle (white lights on the front and red rearreflectors are required by law in many states), inaddition to reflectors on your tires, so others cansee you. Many bicycle-related crashes resultingin injury or death are associated with the bicyclist’sbehavior, including such things as not wearing abicycle helmet, riding into a street without stopping,turning left or swerving into traffic that is comingfrom behind, running a stop sign and riding thewrong way in traffic. To maximize your safety,always wear a helmet AND follow the rules of theroad.Be PredictableRide in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Signalyour moves to others.CAUTION!-Summer 2009 11