Operation Manual

Chapter 1: Guide to Safe On-and-Off Road Operation9
If a car suddenly moves into your lane or
someone opens the door of a parked car, you
could be in a bad accident. Attach a horn or bell
to your bicycle. Use it to tell other people that
you are near.
Wear a Helmet and Bicycle Clothing
Wear a helmet that complies with CPSC or CE
safety standards (Figure 10); it can prevent injury.
Remove your helmet when you are not on your
bicycle; if the helmet is caught, you could choke.
Wear bicycle clothing, eye protection, and
gloves. Do not wear clothing that is loose; it
could get caught in the chain or the wheels.
Also wear light, bright, and reflective clothing to
make you more easy to see, especially at night.
Ride Safely in Wet Weather or Wind
No brakes stop as effectively in wet weather as
they do in dry weather. Even with brakes that
are correctly adjusted and serviced, more lever
pressure and longer distances are necessary to
stop in wet weather.
Wet weather causes decreased traction. The
road surface can become slippery and ordinary
objects can become treacherous, such as
wet leaves, painted crosswalks, or manhole
covers. When wet surfaces freeze, traction is
decreased further. Strong winds can make a
bicycle turn without your control.
When you ride in wet weather, a wet tire can
cause a malfunction of a dynamo (generator
light). Do not ride in wet weather when visibility
is decreased.
FIGURE 10:
Wear a bicycle helmet
when you ride
WARNING: Wet or inclement
weather can make a bicycle difficult to
control. Decrease your speed and use
extra caution, or use other types of
transportation.
Make Sure Other People Can See You
Your bicycle has a full set of reflectors. Make
sure the reflectors are clean and in the correct
position. As useful as these reflectors are, they
do not help your vision. They do not make you
easy to see unless light is pointed at them. You
should see and be seen. If you ride at dusk, at
night, or in low-visibility conditions, speak to
your dealer to find equipment or materials to
help your vision and make you more easy to see.
WARNING: When you ride in
low-visibility conditions such as fog,
dusk, or night, you might be difficult
to see, which could lead to a collision.
Use a front light and rear light when
you ride in conditions with low light or
low visibility.
Think About Safety When You Ride
You can prevent many bicycle accidents if you
think about safety. Here are some examples:
• Do not ride ‘no hands.’
• Do not ride with loose objects attached to
the handlebar or other part of your bicycle.
• Do not ride while intoxicated or while you use
medications which can make you drowsy.
• Do not ‘ride double.’
• Ride carefully when off-road. Ride only on
the trails. Do not ride over rocks, branches,
or depressions. When you ride near a