B. Riding Safety
1. Obey all rules of the road.
2. Respect the rights of motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists.
3. Ride defensively, anticipating dangers. Always assume that other road users and
pedestrians do not see you.
4. Look ahead, and be ready to avoid:
• Vehicles slowing or turning, entering the road or your lane ahead of you, or
coming up behind you.
• Parked car doors opening.
• Pedestrians stepping out.
• Children or pets playing near the road.
• Pot holes, manhole covers, railway tracks, expansion joints, road or pavement
construction, debris and other obstructions that could cause you to swerve
into trac, catch your wheel or cause you to have an accident.
• The many other hazards and distractions which can occur on a bike ride.
5. Ride in designated bike lanes if available, on designated bike paths or as close
to the edge of the road as possible, in the direction of trac ow or as directed
by local laws.
6. Stop at stop signs and trac lights; slow down and look both ways at street
intersections. Remember that a bike comes o second best in a collision with a
motor vehicle so be prepared to give way even if you have the right of way.
7. Use approved hand signals for turning and stopping.
8. Never ride wearing headphones or earphones. They mask trac sounds and
emergency vehicle sirens, distract you from concentrating on what’s going on
and their wires can tangle in the moving parts of the bike, causing you to lose
control.
9. Never carry a passenger, unless it is a small child wearing an approved helmet
and secured in a correctly mounted child carrier or a child-carrying trailer.
10. Never carry anything which obstructs your vision or your complete control of the
bike, or which could become entangled in the moving parts of the bike.
11. Never hold on to another vehicle.
12. Don’t perform stunts, wheelies or jumps. If you intend to do stunts, wheelies,
jumps or go racing with your bike despite our advice not to, read Section 2.F,
Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking. Think carefully about your skills before
deciding to take the large risks that go with this kind of riding.
13. Don’t weave through trac or make any moves that may surprise people with
whom you are sharing the road.
14. Observe and give way to those who have the right of way.
15. Never ride your bike under the inuence of alcohol or drugs.
16. If possible, avoid riding in bad weather, when visibility is obscured, at dawn, dusk
or in the dark, or when extremely tired. Each of these conditions increases the
risk of accident.
C. O Road Safety
We recommend children do not ride on rough terrain unless accompanied by
an adult.
1. The variable conditions and hazards of o-road riding require close attention and
specic skills. Start slowly on easier terrain and build up your skills. If your bike
has suspension, the increased speed you may develop also increases your risk
of losing control and falling. Learn how to handle your bike safely before trying
increased speed or more dicult terrain.
2. Wear appropriate safety clothing and equipment .
3. Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with others, make sure someone
knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
4. Always carry identication so that people know who you are in case of accident;
and take along some cash for food, a drink or an emergency phone call.
5. Give way to pedestrians and animals. Ride in a way that does not frighten or
endanger them, and give them enough room so that their unexpected moves don’t
endanger you.
6. Be prepared. If something goes wrong while you’re riding o-road help may not
be close at hand.
7. Before you attempt to jump, perform stunts 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 private property. You may be sharing the route with others — hikers,
equestrians, other cyclists. Respect their rights. Stay on the designated
cycle trail if there is one. Don’t exacerbate erosion by riding in mud or
with unnecessary sliding. Don’t disturb wildlife by taking shortcuts through
vegetation or streams. It is your responsibility to minimize your impact on the
environment. Leave things as you nd them.
D. Wet Weather Riding
WARNING : Wet weather impairs traction, braking and visibility, both for the
cyclist and other vehicles sharing the road. The risk of an accident is dramatically
increased in wet conditions. Under wet conditions the stopping power of your
brakes (as well as the brakes of other vehicles sharing the road) is dramatically
reduced and your tyres don’t grip as well. This makes it harder to control speed
and easier to lose control. To make sure you can slow down and stop safely in
wet conditions, ride more slowly and apply your brakes earlier and more gradually
than you would in dry conditions. See also Section 4.C.
2/ SAFETY
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