User Guide

10
DURING EVERY RIDE
RIDE SAFELY
Wear a helmet.
An unprotected head is highly susceptible to injury, even from the
slightest contact. Wear a helmet that is comfortable, fits properly, and
meets CPSC or CE safety testing standards (Fig. 17). Eye protection and
appropriate cycling clothes are also recommended. Helmets should be
removed when not riding the bicycle to avoid entrapment in the straps.
Know and observe your local bicycle riding laws.
Most state and local areas have specific laws for cyclists. Local cycling
clubs or your state’s Department of Transportation (or equivalent)
should be able to supply this information to you. A few of the more
important rules of riding:
• Use proper hand signals.
• Ride on the correct side of the road (never go against traffic).
• Ride single file when riding with other cyclists.
• Ride defensively (expect the unexpected). Remember: You are hard to see, and
although cycling is becoming more and more common, many drivers simply are not
trained to recognize the rights and special considerations of a bicycle rider.
Do not use unsafe riding practices.
While most cycling rules can be classified as common sense, it is still necessary to list a
few of the things you should NOT do on a bicycle.
• Do not ride ‘no hands’. Without a firm grip on the handlebars, the slightest road
imperfection could initiate a wheel shimmy or in other ways cause the front wheel
to turn unexpectedly.
• Do not ride with loose objects attached to the handlebars or any other part of
the bicycle. They could get caught in the wheel spokes, cause the handlebars to turn
unexpectedly, or in other ways cause loss of control.
• Do not ride while intoxicated or while using medications which might make you
drowsy. Bicycles require good coordination to ride in control, and riders must be
alert for hazards.
• Do not ‘ride double’. Standard bicycles are not designed to carry the additional
load of a second rider. They also are much harder to balance, steer and stop with the
additional weight of a second rider.
Ride defensively.
Always watch for hazardous situations. Remember, you are not as
visible as a car to other bicyclists, motorists, or pedestrians. Be ready to
stop or take evasive action at all times.
Watch the road.
Watch for potholes, drain grates, soft or low shoulders, and other
deviations. Impact to a wheel, like improper spoke tension, can lead to
wheel collapse causing loss of control. When crossing railroad tracks or
drain grates, do so carefully at a 90° angle (Fig. 18). If you are not sure
of conditions, walk your bike.
Watch the parked cars you are preparing to pass.
If a car you are passing suddenly enters your lane or someone opens
a car door unexpectedly, you could be involved in a serious accident.
Mount a horn or bell on your bicycle for defensive riding.
Fig. 17
45
90
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Fig. 18