Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer. Naturally the fresh air and sunshine is calling your name! Biking is a great active hobby for parents and children, and even a great mode of transportation! As always, you have to be careful – Bicycle safety starts before you ever hit the road on your bike! Here are a few things to keep in mind before heading out:
- Always make sure to inspect your bike to make sure all parts are secure and working properly.
- Adjust your Bicycle fit – stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top bar if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bike. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar heigh should be at the same level with the seat.
- Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. Protect your brain, save your life.
- Be Seen. Daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night, you need to be seen by others on the road. Wearing white has not been shown to make you more visible. Rather, wearing neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding during the day. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights while riding in darkness. Just because you can see a driver, does not mean the driver can see you!
- Avoid Road Hazards. Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves and dogs. Hazards can cause a crash.
- Avoid riding at night. It is far more dangerous to ride at night than during the day when it is harder for others to see you. If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more easily seen by others.
Things such as not wearing a helmet, riding into a street without stopping, turning left or swerving into traffic, running a stop sign, and riding the wrong way in traffic are common causes of many bicycle-related crashes that result in injury or death. Please be aware and be careful while riding this spring and summer!
