Cycling Safety Rules
You may be riding a bike, but you should be driving the same way you would if you were in a car. Always follow traffic signals and road signs, just like cars do. Stay Alert and be cautious.
The best way to be respected by the motoring public, is to always signal your intentions, and to follow traffic rules.
1. Always ride on the RIGHT side of the road. Remember to "go with the flow". Never, ever ride against traffic. Cars will not be expecting to find a cyclist when they round a corner or go over a hill.
2. Ride single file. When passing other cyclists or pedestrians let them know your position by shouting out 'On your left!' early enough for them to react, and for you to see that they’ve heard you.
3. Always signal before making a left or right turn or stopping. The person behind you needs to know what you’re planning to do, whether that person is driving a truck, car or bicycle.
a. To make a left turn, hold your left arm out pointing left.
b. For a right turn, either put your left arm out in an 'L' shape, pointing up, or point your right arm out pointing right.
c. To slow or stop, put your left arm pointing down with your hand wide open facing behind you.
4. Always check behind you before changing lanes, and signal what you plan to do.
5. Watch out for dangers in the road way…litter, potholes, sand, gravel, storm gratings and railroad tracks can all cause you to lose control of your bike. In wet weather avoid riding on painted areas of the road…they can be more slippery than the regular road surface.
6. Stop at all "STOP" signs and at all traffic lights, when they’re red. Look carefully at crossroads.
7. Be aware of and control your path…don’t swerve around. When you don’t follow a straight and steady path, you confuse whoever is behind you, and that’s never good.
8. Ride at least 3 feet away from parked cars. It's common for people to open their car doors without looking to see if someone is coming. Always ride next to parked cars assuming that a door will open in your path.
9. Don’t follow cars too closely...they may not see you in a blind spot. And if you can keep up with a car, they may be sightseeing or looking for an address, which means they’re likely to stop abruptly.
10. Always be prepared to stop. Keep your hands on or close to the brakes, especially when there is a lot of pedestrian or auto traffic near you…or a dog that might run out in front of you
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