Bicycle Safety Tips

Riding a bike can be a fun and healthy hobby. Always remember when riding that you are not alone. You share the road with cars, trucks, pedestrians and even other cyclists. An accident can turn a biking adventure into a biking tragedy.
Child riding a bicycle with training wheels
To stay safe, practice the following safety tips:
  • Always wear a helmet. Studies show that wearing a helmet may reduce head injuries by as much as 85%. Make sure it fits snug but comfortably. Make sure it is approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Snell Foundation.
  • Wear clothing that is close fitting to avoid being caught in the bikes moving parts. Wear proper shoes and never wear flip flops or sandals.
  • Obey all rules of the road including all traffic signs, signals and road markings. Ride on the right hand side of the road and use proper hand signals.
  • Before entering roadway or intersection always check for traffic by looking both ways. At busy streets walk the bike across at crosswalk.
  • Make sure your bicycle has front and rear reflectors. Law requires that a bike is equipped with a front lamp visible from 300 ft and a rear reflector visible from 200 ft at night. Statistics show that approx 4% total ride time occurs at night but accounts for approx 42% of accident related fatalities.
  • Make sure bikes are adjusted properly by checking that all the parts are secure and working. Check to insure the handlebars are firmly in place and turn easily, make sure the wheels are straight and secure, and check that the tires are inflated properly with no bulges or cracks.
  • Teach children to ride safely and not show off on their bikes. Keep both hands on handlebars and only one person should be on the bike at a time.
  • Along with bicycle safety comes responsibility. Lock up your bike with a U lock. Secure the front wheel and frame to a stationary object, such as a bike rack. Record the serial number of all your bicycles. These are usually located underneath the frame. You can also mark all your bicycles with an engraver. Use a unique number such as a driver's license.