February 2006 Safety Tip

Bicycle

• Wear a helmet.
• Wear comfortable, brightly colored clothing.
• Wear a reflective vest from dusk until dawn.
• Use lights and reflectors from dusk until dawn.
• Wear gloves.
• Wear shatterproof glasses (UV/IR protective).

• Check your tires for nicks, cuts and wear before each ride, and ensure the tires are inflated properly.
• Make sure all the nuts, bolts and connectors are tight.
• Make sure your brakes work and the cables are lubed.
• Make sure the saddle is tight.
• Make sure the handlebar grips are tight.
• Ride with a basic tool kit, basic first-aid kit, and some money for a phone call or a cab ride if you run into trouble.

• Bring water.
  Never ride off-road alone.
• Stay off sidewalks. Slow-moving pedestrians are as dangerous to you as you are to them.
• When riding in the street, obey traffic signals and traffic laws.
• Use hand signals when turning.
• Make eye contact with drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists to be sure they see you.
• Walk your bike across crosswalks.