Bicycle injury rates are highest between the ages of 5-15. Remember these tips for safety when riding your bike:
- Wear a helmet at all times. Make sure the helmet fits your head. Always try it on before you buy it. Adjust the chin strap firmly. The helmet should not move around on your head. Wear the helmet low on your forehead, just above your eyebrows.
- Obey all traffic rules. Ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as the traffic. Stop at all signs. Yield the right of way to pedestrians. Learn and use hand signals.
- Keep your bike in good working order. Check your brakes, tires and handle bars for loose nuts and screws.
- Ride in a straight line and never ride with more than two abreast.
- Wear bright clothing to be visible to other drivers.
- Make sure your bike has reflectors. Remember that from 1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise, your bike must be equipped with a white light visible 500 feet in the of the bike and a red light or reflector visible from 500 feet on the rear of the bike.
- Make sure motorists are aware of your presence before crossing a street, turning a corner, or changing lanes.
- Avoid heavily congested areas.
- Be courteous to other drivers.