Protect your number one asset! I wasn't born rich
or good looking -- so my brain is my strong point, although some would
argue this. Be that as it may, I'd wear a helmet if I rode a bike. Even
minor bumps can cause spills resulting in head impacts and at as little
as 4 mph, a head injury can be fatal. One estimate says that as high as
85% of these injuries could be prevented by helmets.
Especially in low-light or at nighttime, a bicyclist is
hard to see. I've seen bike riders with no lights, wearing black clothes,
riding along in the half-light of dusk, with no clue that they are virtually
invisible. Wear bright, reflective clothing or light colors. Use reflective
tape; put reflectors and lights on your bike. Battery-powered, pulsating
"strobe" lights are especially good for "being seen."
Be aware of where and when you are hard to see and ride to be visible.
Don't ride where you are hidden by other vehicles or obstructions.
Remember the pedestrian you knock off the sidewalk
today may be the motorist who sideswipes you tomorrow! Be courteous and
respectful. When approaching pedestrians, reduce speed. Give them a polite
verbal warning and a wide berth. Be courteous to motorists too. Use hand
signals and be careful not to impede traffic. Obey all traffic laws when
riding on the roadway. Remember that no matter the cause, if there is
a collision, you lose.
Pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings and control
distractions and impediments. You need all your senses when riding --
don't wear a headset stereo. Same with cell phones; it's dumb to
ride a bike, watch traffic, and talk on a cell phone all at the same time.
Develop smart "road moves." Be predictable.
Ride with the traffic, not against it. One of the top causes of bicyclist
injury is riding the wrong way and being hit by a vehicle turning right
- the driver doesn't look to the right, he's looking left for the chance
to get into traffic. Chances are he never looks right until he
hears the crash of a bicycle against his right front fender.
"Take the lane" when necessary for safety.
Bikes should operate single-file, as close to the right curb as possible.
But if the road is too narrow for a car to pass a bike safely within the
lane, the bike should "take the lane" in the interest of his
own safety (to prevent the motorist from passing unsafely). Do a head
check, then move left a quarter or a third of the way into the lane until
the road is wide enough to accommodate both the bike and the vehicle safely
again. Do the same when there are road hazards. Watch for railroad tracks,
debris, uneven road surfaces, loose gravel, and parked cars that are ready
to pull out -- or open their doors. Be ready to swing wide when necessary,
but make sure you "check six" (look behind you) first.
Finally, make safe left turns. Bikes can join the
traffic to make left turns, but while legal, this can be a dangerous thing
to do. Instead, why not continue straight across an intersection in the
right lane, stop, get off your bike and use the crosswalk to cross the
street, remount, and continue in the desired direction. However you do
it, make sure you keep your eyes moving and beware of any impending dangers
-- city intersections are dangerous and busy places, especially for a
bike rider.
To summarize, protect your head, be visible, be courteous,
and ride smart!
<Rule
39: Drive Your Van Safely
Rule 41: Share the Road with Bicyclists>
