losing control and falling. Get to know how to handle your bike safely before trying increased speed or more difficult terrain.
2. Wear safety gear appropriate to the kind of riding you plan to do.
3. Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with others, make sure that some
one kno
ws where you’re going and
when you expect to be back.
4. Always take along some kind of i dentification, so th at people know who you are in case of an accident; and t ake along
some cash for food, a cool drink or an emergency phone call.
5. Yield ri ght o f way to pedestrians a nd a nimals. Rid e in a way th at do es not frig hten or en danger t hem, an d giv e them
enough room so that their unexpected moves don’t endanger you.
6. Be prepared. If something goes wrong while you’re riding off-road, help may not be close.
7. Before you attempt to jump, do stunt ridin
g or race
with your bike, read and understand Section 2.F.
Off Road respect
Obey the local laws regulating where and how you can ride off-road, and respect privat e propert
y. You may be sharing the
trail with others — hikers, equestrians, other cyclists. Respect their rights. Stay on the designated trail. Don’t contribute to erosion
by riding in mud or with unnecessary sliding. Don’t disturb the ecosystem by cutting your own trail or shortcut through vegetation
or streams. It is your responsibility to minimize your impact on the environment. Leave things as you found them; and always take
out everything you brought in.
D. Wet Weather Riding
WARNING: W et weather im pairs traction, braking and visibility, bot h for t he bic yclist and for other vehicles
sharing the road. The risk of an accident is dramatically increased in wet conditions.
Under wet c onditions, the sto pping power o f your brak es (as well as t
he brak es of ot her ve hicles s haring th e roa d) is
dramatically reduced and your tires don’t grip nearly as well. This makes it harder to control speed and easier to lose control. To
make sure that you can slow down and stop safely in wet conditions, ride more slowly and apply your brakes earlier and more
gradually than you would under normal, dry conditions. See also Section 4.C.
E. Night Riding
Riding a b icycle at n ight is m uch mor e dangerous tha n riding d uring the da y. A bicyclist is ver y d ifficult for motorist s and
pedestrians to see. Therefore, children should never ride a t dawn, at dus k or at night. Adult s who chose to accept the greatly
increased risk of riding at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra care both riding and choosing specialized equipment which
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