Bike Riding Safely and Legally

Rules of the Road

Whether you ride for recreational purposes or competitively, following basic safety rules can help you avoid accidents or serious injuries when an accident occurs.

1. Wear a helmet with a hard shell

2. Ride the proper size bike

3. Equip your bike with a bell or horn, reflectors and a headlight

4. Inspect your bike before going on any rides

5. Obey all signs and signals: If you can't read don't ride on public roads.

6. Don't carry passengers on your bike

7. DRIVE WITH TRAFFIC and in single file. NEVER GO AGAINST TRAFFIC.

8. Use standard signaling procedures to signal other roadway users

9. Wear bright clothes at night

10.Watch out for storm drains

11.Watch out for wet pavement, wet leaves, loose gravel and debris in your path.

Helmets: Proper Fit and Comfortable

Most jurisdictions require under the law that bike riders wear a bike helmet whether you ride on streets or bike paths. Helmets provide good impact protection. Even a low-speed fall on a bicycle path can cause severe head injury. Medical research shows that 88% of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by wearing a bicycle helmet. There are other benefits. Car drivers see you better and give you more respect. So do other riders.

A sticker inside the helmet tells what standard it meets. Helmets made for U.S. sale
after March 10, 1999 must meet the US Consumer Product Safety Commission standard, so look for a CPSC sticker. ASTM's standard is comparable. Snell's B-95 and N-94 standards are tougher but seldom used. The best helmets meet the Snell standard (noted by a green or blue sticker). The Snell Foundation is a non-profit founded in 1957 to promote better helmets after the death by head injury of race car driver Pete Snell. The foundation began issuing racing helmet standards soon after it was established, followed by motorcycle, bicycle, equestrian and other standards.

Helmet fit is very important for safety. The fit is good if the helmet moves very little, and remains mostly level. A good fit means level on your head, touching all around, comfortably snug but not tight. The helmet should not move more than about an inch in any direction, and must not pull off no matter how hard you try.

Helmet comfort requirements include weight, ventilation, and price. What is best is a matter of personal preference and comfort. Air flow over the head determines coolness, and larger front vents provide better air flow. Most current helmets have adequate cooling for most riders. Sweat control can require a brow pad or separate sweatband. A snug fit with no pressure points ensures comfort and correct position on the head when you crash. Buy a brightly colored helmet for visibility so that other cyclists and motorists see you.

If your helmet has been in a crash, be thankful you survived and replace the helmet. A helmet becomes less protective after impact.