Mec Bike - 2 Safety; A The Basics

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MEC BIKE MANUAL
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D Wet weather riding
WARNING Wet weather impairs traction, braking and visibility, both for the
bicyclist and for 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
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 4C.
E Night riding
Riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding during the day.
A bicyclist is very dicult for motorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore,
children should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults 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 helps
reduce that risk. Consult your dealer about night riding safety equipment.
WARNING Reflectors are not a substitute for required lights. Riding at
dawn, at dusk, at night or at other times of poor visibility without an adequate
bicycle lighting system and without reflectors is dangerous and may result in
serious injury or death.
Bicycle reflectors are designed to pick up and reflect car lights and street lights
in a way that may help you to be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION Check reflectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make
sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have your
dealer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or tighten any that are
bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reflectors are often designed as
brake straddle cable safety catches which prevent the straddle cable from
catching on the tire tread if the cable jumps out of its yoke or breaks.
WARNING Do not remove the front or rear reflectors or reflector brackets
from your bicycle. They are an integral part of the bicycle’s safety system.
Removing the reflectors reduces your visibility to others using the roadway.
Being struck by other vehicles may result in serious injury or death.
The reflector brackets may protect you from a brake straddle cable catching
on the tire in the event of brake cable failure. If a brake straddle cable catches
on the tire, it can cause the wheel to stop suddenly, causing you to lose
control and fall.
13 Don’t weave through trac or make any moves that may surprise
people with whom you are sharing the road.
14 Observe and yield the right of way.
15 Never ride your bicycle while under the influence 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 con-
ditions increases the risk of accident.
C O road safety
We recommend that children not ride on rough terrain unless they are
accompanied by an adult.
1 The variable conditions and hazards of o-road riding require close
attention and specific 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. Get to know
how to handle your bike safely before trying increased speed or more
dicult 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 someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
4 Always take along some kind of identification, so that people know who
you are in case of an accident; and take along some cash for food,
a cool drink or an emergency phone call.
5 Yield right of 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.
7 Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike,
read and understand Section 2F.
Off road respect
Obey the local laws regulating where and how you can ride o-road, and
respect private property. 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.