Bicycle safety canada it should not hurt

• Riding a bicycle is a great way to be physically active. Some people even regard this two-wheeled device as their main form of transportation.

• This presentation will focus on tips related to bicycle safety.

All ACCIDENTS are PREVENTABLE

Five Categories of Bicycle Safety1. Proper bicycle sizing2. Bicycle maintenance and repair3. Bicycle helmets and other

safety equipment4. Bicycle handling skills5. Cycling in traffic

What Should I Know About…

• Your bike should fit your body size so it is easy to control, comfortable to ride, and not harmful to your knees.

• Also, your seat and handlebars should be at the correct height for you.

1Proper bicycle sizing?

– Adjust your bicycle to fit. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar), if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches, if it is a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level from front to back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee, when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.

• All bicycle parts should always be in good working order, especially before the first ride of the season. Pay special attention to brakes, tire pressure, chain, and all bolts on shift levers, seat, handlebars, and wheels.

• Ask a reputable bike shop near you about the availability of hands-on workshops where you could learn basic maintenance and repair skills.

2Bicycle maintenance and repair?


‘s Of Maintaining Your Bicycle

• Air Check – Check tire pressure and inflate to recommended maximum pressure. Look for damage and tread wear.

• Brakes – Examine brake pads, cables and housings. Ensure that all brake pads open and close together and operate smoothly.

• Crank – Check for bearing play in crank and headset.

• Quick Release – Many bicycles are equipped with quick-release axles rather than the traditional thread and nut type of wheel axle. Make sure any quick-release devices are tightened and tires secured to the frame.

• Component Check – Check bicycle components and ensure all are functioning properly by taking a slow ride in an area designed for bicycles.

• A helmet absorbs the forces created when you are in a crash or collision. This can potentially save your life or prevent a permanent injury.

• In most provinces , it’s the law for all cyclists under 18 years old to wear a safety-approved bicycle helmet.

3Wearing a bicycle helmet and using other safety equipment?


• In addition to helmets for youth and children, there is legislation in Ontario for the use and placement of the following bicycle safety equipment:

–Lights–Reflective tape–Bell–Brakes

your legal responsibility

Other Safety Equipment• Bicycle Lighting• Cyclists should be as visible as possible.

• Wear white or brightly coloured clothing and helmet.

• Put reflective tape on your clothing or wear a reflective vest or jacket.

• Put reflective tape on the front and rear bike forks.

• Attach a red reflector or red light at the rear and a white front light when you ride between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.

Other Safety Equipment

Bicycle “Noise-makers”• It’s important to warn others that you are

approaching. This includes motorists, other cyclists, pedestrians, joggers,etc.

• Make sure you have a working horn or bell on your bike. It may also be effective to shout something like, “passing on the left” when sharing trails with others.

• Knowing how to safely operate your bike includes:

• A good place to practice your skills is in an empty parking lot.

4Bicycle handling skills?

• Getting on and off• Shifting gears• Using brakes• Using hand signals for stopping and making turns

•Using emergency handling skills •Cycling with children ona child bicycle carrier or in a child trailer


Balance is Key

Before riding your bike again for the first time on the trails or road, be sure to practice basic bicycle handling skills.

With a little practice, you will soon feel comfortable and confident to safely enjoy cycling once again.

• A bicycle is considered a vehicle so cyclists must legally obey the same rules of the road as motorists. When everyone uses the same rules, actions can be predicted and injuries can be prevented.

• It’s always best when everyone can anticipate others’ moves and plan accordingly.

5Cycling in traffic?


More on Cycling in Traffic• A bicycle is much narrower and usually slower

than most other vehicles. • Because of this, a cyclist

must stay to the right of the lane and give the right of way to faster traffic when it is safe and practical.

• When changing lanes is required, the vehicle in the other lane always has the right-of-way.

Cycling in Traffic• Having good bike handling skills is essential

if you cycle in traffic, especially in situations that could potentially result in a collision.

• Always scan the road ahead for potential hazards, like parked cars, debris and holes in the road, or vehicles turning.

Cycling in Traffic• Always assume that others cannot see you.

Use caution, slow down, and proceed only when it is safe.

• seeing and learning that there are lots of physical

activities to be enjoyed, provided some precautions are taken

to reduce the risk of serious injury.

All children should grow up…

– Yield to traffic, when appropriate. Almost always, drivers on a smaller road must yield or wait for traffic on a major or larger road. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and a bicyclist is coming from a driveway, sidewalk, bike path, etc., they must slow down and look to see if the way is clear before they go on. This includes yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk.

– Look before turning. When turning left or right, it is important to always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal before making the turn. Watch for left or right-turning traffic.

– Watch for parked cars. Bicyclists should ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (like doors opening or cars pulling out).

– NOT UNLESS YOU HAVE TO: Avoid riding at night. It is more dangerous for children to ride bikes at night than during the day. Do make sure there are reflectors on the front and rear of the bicycle, in addition to reflectors on tires. Many states require bicycles to have white lights on the front and red rear reflectors.

HAND SIGNALS

WHICH IS THE HAND SIGNAL FOR STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN?

A

B

C

D

WHICH IS THE HAND SIGNAL FOR TURNING LEFT?

A

B

C

D

WHICH IS THE HAND SIGNAL FOR TURNING RIGHT?

A

B

C

D

Remember

Lock it up TIGHT

Questions

Presentations & Public Speaking

Bicycle safety canada it should not hurt