Thursday, May 17, 2012

"Bike to Work" Safety Tips

In recognition of National "Bike to Work" week, TFD offers the following safety tips on bicycle safety from the League of American Bicyclists and AAA.

On the Road:
  • The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
  • Obey all traffic control devices
  • Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns
  • Never wear headphones or listen to loud music while riding 
Always wear a properly fitting helmet:
  • Wear a helmet, no matter how short the trip
Ride on the Right:
  • Always ride in the same direction as traffic
  • Use the furthest right lane that heads to your destination
  • Use bike trails (not the sidewalk) when available 
Ride predictably:
  • Ride in a straight line
  • Don't swerve in the road or between parked cars
  • Check for traffic before entering the street or intersection
Be Visible:
  • Wear brightly colored clothing that provides contrast
  • Use a white front light and red rear light in low light conditions
  • Ride with more then one rider, when possible, to increase visibility
  • Always warn pedestrians or other riders when approaching from behind