// MANUAL
D. FIRST RIDE
When you buckle on your helmet and go for your rst familiarization ride on your new bicycle,
be sure to pick a controlled environment, away from cars, other cyclists, obstacles or other
hazards. Ride to become familiar with the controls, features and performance of your new
bike. Familiarize yourself with the braking action of the bike (see Section 4.C). Test the brakes
at slow speed, putting your weight toward the rear and gently applying the brakes, rear brake
rst. Sudden or excessive application of the front brake could pitch you over the handlebars.
Applying brakes too hard can lock up a wheel, which could cause you to lose control and fall.
Skidding is an example of what can happen when a wheel locks up. If your bicycle has toe clips
or clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the pedals. See paragraph B.4 above and Sec-
tion 4.E.4. If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how the suspension responds
to brake application and rider weight shifts. See paragraph B.6 above and Section 4.F. Practice
shifting the gears (see Section 4.D). Remember to never move the shifter while pedaling back-
ward, nor pedal backwards immediately after having moved the shifter. This could jam the
chain and cause serious damage to the bicycle. Check out the handling and response of the
bike; and check the comfort. If you have any questions, or if you feel anything about the bike is
not as it should be, consult PROPAIN or your dealer before you ride again.
2. SAFETY / A. THE BASICS
WARNING: The area in which you ride may require specic safety devices. It is your
responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the area where you ride and to comply
with all applicable laws, including properly equipping yourself and your bike as the law
requires. Observe all local bicycle laws and regulations. Observe regulations about bicycle
lighting, licensing of bicycles, riding on sidewalks, laws regulating bike path and trail use,
helmet laws, child carrier laws, special bicycle trac laws. It’s your responsibility to know
and obey the laws.
1. Always wear a cycling helmet which meets the latest certication standards and is ap-
propriate for the type of riding you do. Always follow the helmet manufacturer’s instructions
for t, use and care of your helmet. Most serious bicycle injuries involve head injuries which
might have been avoided if the rider had worn an appropriate helmet.
WARNING: Failure to wear a helmet when riding may result in
serious injury or death.
2. Always do the Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C) before you get on a bike.
3. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls of your bicycle: brakes (Section 4.C.); pedals
(Section 4.E.); shifting (Section 4.D.)
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