PROPAIN tyee 2020 - Page 96

// MANUAL
Bicycle reectors are designed to pick up and reect car lights and street lights in a way that
may help you to be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION: Check reectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make sure that
they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have a bicycle dealer replace
damaged reectors and straighten or tighten any that are bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reectors 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 reectors or reector brackets from
your bicycle. They are an integral part of the bicycle’s safety system. Removing
the reectors reduces your visibility to others using the roadway. Being struck by other
vehicles may result in serious injury or death. The reector 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.
If you choose to ride under conditions of poor visibility, check and be sure you comply with
all local laws about night riding, and take the following strongly recommended additional
precautions:
• Purchase and install battery or generator powered head and tail lights which meet all
regulatory requirements for where you live and provide adequate visibility.
• Wear light colored, reective clothing and accessories, such as a reective vest, reec-
tive arm and leg bands, reective stripes on your helmet, ashing lights attached to your
body and/or your bicycle. Any reective device or light source that moves will help you get
the attention of approaching motorists, pedestrians and other trac.
• Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the bicycle does not
obstruct a reector or light.
• Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned and securely mounted
reectors.
While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving trac.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on familiar routes.
If riding in trac:
• Be predictable. Ride so that drivers can see you and predict your movements.
• Be alert. Ride defensively and expect the unexpected.
• If you plan to ride in trac often, ask PROPAIN about trac safety classes or a good
book on bicycle trac safety.