Staying Safe

Here’s how to make your bike rides safer:

• Keep your bike in good order: many bike accidents have nothing to do with other traffic.
• Know your highway code: it applies to you.
• Keep alert. Use your eyes and ears to be aware of what’s happening. Don’t listen to music on your bike.
• Think ahead. What might happen next?
• If possible, position yourself so that car drivers can see you.
• Wear bright clothes and add reflective material.
• Keep your brakes well adjusted; you need them a lot in traffic.
• Don’t ride in the gutter. Give yourself room to move in if you have to.
• Watch out for car doors opening suddenly.
• Learn to look behind with confidence, or use a mirror.
• Signal and move out smoothly to pass parked cars and buses.
• Watch out for pedestrians stepping out: they can’t hear your engine!
• Wear a helmet.
• Use bike paths where-ever they exist.
• Be proud to be pedalling, but also polite.