Safety Instructions
Wet Weather
IT IS RECOMMENDED TO NOT RIDE IN WET WEATHER
In wet weather you need to take extra care. Brake earlier, you will take a
longer distance to stop.
Decrease your riding speed, avoid sudden braking and take corners with
additional caution.
Pot holes and slippery surfaces such as line markings and train tracks
all become more hazardous when wet.
Moisture or dirt on the brake shoes reduces their ability to grip.
Brakes
Teach your child to brake properly so that he/she is ready to stop quickly in an
emergency. The front brake can provide much greater stopping power than the
rear brake, but jamming on the front brake too hard in an emergency can lift the
rear wheel and throw the child over the handlebars.
Have him/her practice applying the front brake hard, but not so hard that the
rear wheel starts to lift or skid.
Braking on slippery surfaces, curves, and steep downgrades requires additional skill and care.
The way to maintain control on loose or wet surfaces is to go more slowly
to begin with.
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the rear brake and the right hand lever operates the front brake.
The correct adjustment and operation of these brakes is extremely important for safe operation
and control of the bicycle. The rider should fully understand their brakes and be capable of
before every ride.
Frequent checking and adjustment is necessary as the control cables will stretch and the brake
pads will become worn with use.
Never ride a bicycle unless the brakes are functioning properly.
Inspection
Brake levers should be checked for tightness at least every three months. They should be set in
a comfortable position within easy reach of the rider's hands, and must not be able to move
on the handlebar. Some brake levers make use of a reach adjustment screw, which can be
altered to the distance between the handlebar grip and the lever, as required.
The brake pads should be checked for correct positioning and tightness before every ride and
the various bolts and nuts at least every three months.
Squeeze each brake lever to make sure they operate freely and that the brake pads press hard
enough on the rims to stop the bike.
There should be about 1mm - 2mm clearance between each pad and the rim when the brakes
are not applied. The brake pads must be properly centered for maximum contact with the rim.
Replace the brake pads if they are over worn so that the grooves or pattern cannot be seen.
The brake cable wires should be checked for kinks, rust, broken strands or frayed ends.
The outer casing should also be checked for kinks, stretched coils and other damage. If the
cables are damaged, they should be replaced.