Bicycle Safety

Before every ride there is an easy way to make sure your bike is in good working order before hitting the road, dirt path or wherever you travel — it’s called an ABC Quick Check.

Air: Be sure you have enough air in your tires
Brakes: Look to see that your brake pads are not worn
Chain and Cranks: Pull on your cranks to see that they are not loose and look to see that the chain is not rusted, and it is free of gunk it is important to perform a simple visual bike safety check. This is known as the “ABC’s” (air, breaks, and chain) check to ensure that the bike is in proper working condition and safe to operate.
Quick Release: Make sure all quick releases are closed
Check: Take a slow brief ride to check that your bike is working properly

There are two main types of crashes: the most common (falls), and the most serious (the ones with cars). Regardless of the reason for the crash, prevention is the name of the game. There are things you can do to decrease your risk of a crash. First, know some of the latest bicycle safety facts:

1. Bicyclist deaths are highest during the summer months between June and September.
2. Nearly three quarters of all bicyclist deaths occur in urban areas.
3. Failing to yield the right of way is the highest factor in fatal bike crashes, followed by bicyclists not being visible.

Ride responsibly and remember: All states require bicyclists on the roadway to follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists.

Be focused and alert to the road and all traffic around you; anticipate what others may do before they do it. This is defensive driving—the quicker you notice a potential conflict, the quicker you can act to avoid a potential crash:

• Drive with the flow, in the same direction as traffic.
• Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.
• Assume the other person doesn’t see you; look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid that may cause you to fall, like toys, pebbles, potholes, grates, train tracks.
• No texting, listening to music or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.

By driving predictably, motorists get a sense of what you intend to do and can react to avoid a crash.

Drive where you are expected to be seen, travel in the same direction as traffic and signal and look over your shoulder before changing lane position or turning.

Avoid or minimize sidewalk riding. Cars don’t expect to see moving traffic on a sidewalk and don’t look for you when backing out of a driveway or turning. Sidewalks sometimes end unexpectedly, forcing the bicyclist into a road when a car isn’t expecting to look for a bicyclist. If you must ride on the sidewalk, remember to:

1. Check your law to make sure sidewalk riding is legal;
2. Watch for pedestrians;
3. Pass pedestrians with care by first announcing “on your left” or “passing on your left” or use a bell;
4. Ride in the same direction as traffic. This way, if the sidewalk ends, you are already riding with the flow of traffic. If crossing a street, motorists will look left, right, left for traffic. When you are to the driver’s left, the driver is more likely to see you;
5. Slow and look for traffic (left-right-left and behind) when crossing a street from a sidewalk; be prepared to stop and follow the pedestrian signals; and
6. Slow down and look for cars backing out of driveways or turning.

No one learns to drive a vehicle safely without practice and experience; safely riding your bike in traffic requires the same preparation. Start by riding your bike in a safe environment away from traffic (a park, path, or empty parking lot).

Take an on-bike class through your school, recreation department, local bike shop or bike advocacy group. Confidence in traffic comes with learning how to navigate and communicate with other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Review and practice as a safe pedestrian or bicyclist is great preparation for a safe and enjoyable ride.

People on bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as people behind the wheel of a vehicle.

SIGNALING
You should always let others know when you are turning, changing lanes or stopping. Communicating your intentions not only makes your ride safer, but it is also required by law in the United States.

Left Turn: Fully extend your left arm out to the side
Right Turn: Fully extend your right arm out to the side or bend your left arm up at a right angle with your hand flat.
Slowing or Stopping: Extend your left arm out at a right angle with your hand open

SCANNING
Scanning is simply the act of looking over your shoulder. Scanning successfully is a key part of riding anywhere—it’s an easy and safe way to communicate your intentions to others and it also shows you what is happening behind you.

At first, it will be difficult to scan and maintain a straight line. A tip that may keep you from pulling the bike is to remove the hand, from the direction you are scanning, from the handlebars.

• Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk, often at an intersection or driveway.
• In parking lots, at stop signs, when packing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicycles.
• Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red.
• Obey the speed limit, reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist.
• Give cyclists room. Do not pass too closely. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle—when it’s safe to move over into an adjacent lane.