Spring Bicycling Safety Tips

Bicycles remain associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. Wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of brain injury by approximately 90 percent.

• A bicycle is considered a vehicle.  Learn the rules of the road and obey all traffic laws:
• Ride on the right side of the road with traffic
• Use the appropriate hand signals to indicate a turn
• Respect all traffic signals
• Stop at all stop signs
• Always look Left, Right, and then Left again before entering a street
• Always wear a properly-fitted bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle, scooter, or using skates  or a skateboard!
• A bicycle helmet should fit comfortably and snugly
• The helmet should sit level on the head about two finger widths above the eyebrows
• The side adjustor buckles should form  a “V” directly under the ear lobe
• Buckle the chinstrap so that only two fingers can fit between the chin and the strap
• Use wrist guards and elbow/knee pads when riding a scooter, or using skates or a skateboard.
• Helmets should be labeled as meeting the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard for bicycle helmets.
• Look for the sticker with the helmet manufacturer date, and replace helmets that are over 5 years old.
• Always replace a helmet after a crash; it has done its job!

via: VDH

Short URL: http://www.news.synavista.com/?p=8728

Posted by admin on Apr 26 2010. Filed under Bicycle News, US News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.