BICYCLE SAFETY Keeping Our Youth Safe! - Provided by: Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

BICYCLE SAFETY
   Keeping Our Youth Safe!

         Provided by:

Why Do People Ride Bikes?
   Bike riding is a great source of exercise!
   Bike riding is a form of transportation.
   A good way to learn the rules for driving.
   IT’S FUN!

Safety Tips Before Riding
 Inspect   your bike
 Put
    on all of your bike safety
 gear
 When  carrying books or other
 loose items, place them in
 your bicycle carrier or in a
 backpack.

Safety Gear!
HELMET:
   Reduces injuries by 85% and can even save
    your life!
   Fits snug, but comfortably.
   Has ventilation holes.
   Look for labels:
       - American National Standards Institute www.ansi.org
       - Snell Memorial Foundation www.smf.org
       - Another legally authorized certified organization.

   Replace every 5 years or after any crash.

Safety Gear!
     APPROPRIATE CLOTHING:
      Be visible no matter what time of day it is!
      Bright, orange or yellow are ideal
      If riding in the dark, always wear reflective tape
       and white or light colored clothing.
      Clothing should be close fitting to avoid getting
       caught on anything.

KNEE AND ELBOW PADS:
  Protect you if you fall.

             GLOVES:
   Protect your hands if you fall.

How to Inspect Your Bike
   Tires:
      Properly inflated and firm
      Change if cracked, bulging, or
        are worn down.

   Wheels:
     Straight
     Spokes are straight for correct rotation.

   Chain:
      Clean, not rusty; oil if needed.
      Chain should be able to move, but not fit
       loosely.

   Handlebars:
     Replace worn hand grips or tape the edges.

How to Inspect:
   Brakes:
     Make sure they work!
     Stop smoothly, no squeaking.
     Replace if needed.

   Reflectors:
     Front and back of the bike
     Clean and Secured well
     White front and red back

   Light:
     Front: Visible for up to 500 ft. for nighttime bike
      riding.
     Rear: may have in addition to reflector, may blink

How to Inspect:
   Pedals:
     Turn easily without being loose.

   Seat:
     Comfortable height.

   Rear view mirror:
     You may add one.

Road Rules
   Under Texas Law, a bicycle is a vehicle and
    bicycle drivers have the rights and duties
    applicable to drivers operating vehicles.

   Adults must ride bicycles on the roadway or
    designated bike path.

   The Texas DPS advises that children should
    ride on sidewalks because this is safer for
    them, even though not legally correct.

   Bicyclists should ride near to the right curb or
    edge of the roadway and may ride on the
    shoulder (except when passing, avoiding
    unsafe conditions, turning left, or on narrow
    lanes).

Road Rules
   Look both ways before crossing the street!
       Look left, right, and left again.

   Always ride on the right side of the road. Look
    for and avoid glass, potholes, and wet areas.

   Use caution at intersections. Watch for
    cars and pedestrians. In areas with heavy
    walk your bike across the street at
    crosswalks.

   Steer Away from Parked Cars. Watch for
    doors being opened.

Road Rules- Street Signs
 Be familiar with all street signs like other drivers:
 Stop- red with eight sides
 Yield- red and white triangle
 Warning- yellow, diamond shaped
 Information/Regulations- square or rectangle
  that come in a variety of colors
 Railroad Crossing- yellow circle with an “X”
  through it

Road Rules- Traffic Signals
Obey Traffic Signals:
   Green= Go
   Yellow= Warning to stop
   Red= STOP!
   Green Arrow= Protected turn
   Blinking Yellow= Slow down, drive with
    caution
   Blinking Red= Stop, look both ways, continue
    if clear

Road Rules- Hand Signals

                           Left turn= left arm held out straight

Right turn= left arm bent like an
“L” or right arm held out straight

                       Slow/Stop= left arm bent downward

Safety Tips While Riding
 Always look both ways before
 crossing the street!
 Befamiliar with the rules of the
 road: street signs, traffic signals,
 and hand signals.
 Stay in areas
  you’re familiar
  with!

Things to Watch Out For!

   Pedestrians
   Animals
    If attacked, get off of your
     bike and put it between
     you and the animal for
     protection.
   Road conditions.
       Look for tree branches, bumps,
        curbs, railroad tracks, leaves,
        sand, and rocks.

Additional Safety Tips
         Ride in single file on the sidewalk.
         If in the street, no more than two
           bike riders are allowed in the lane.

   Don’t show off!
   Both hands on the
    handlebars.
   One person on a one
    seat bike at a time!

Additional Safety Tips
   Never hold onto a car, truck
    or other bicycle while riding!

   Don’t wear headphones!
    You need to be able to
    listen out for car horns
    or other alert noises!

   Be extra cautious in bad
    weather. Rain can affect
    your brakes.

Prevent Your Bike
    From Getting Stolen!
    Always secure your bike!

    Use bike locks, chains, or
    cables to lock your bike on
          a fixed object.
      (Bike Rack at school)

Register Your Bike!
   Contact the National Bike Registry (NBR) at
    800-848-BIKE for registration programs.

   If your bike is ever stolen and it’s registered,
    you’ll have a better chance of retrieving it.

   * With the help of an adult, record the bike’s
    serial #, keep the receipt (if possible), and a
    picture of the bike.

    * With the help of an adult engrave your
    name, or a set of numbers, on the bike to
    make it unique.

Picture from the Texas Department of Public Safety
                                                             in this Picture?
                                                     Can You Find the Safety Hazards

What Have You Learned?
      Take our True/False Quiz:
1.   Your bike helmet should fit loose and move around on
     your head. FALSE
2.   To signal a left turn, extend you left arm straight out. TRUE
3.   It’s safe to drive your bike facing traffic. FALSE
4.   Always drive as close as you can to parked cars. FALSE
5.   A flashing red light means stop, check for traffic, then
     drive on carefully. TRUE
6.   A yield sign is in the shape of a square or rectangle. FALSE
7.   If you ride on the sidewalk, pedestrians should get out
     of your way. FALSE
8.   You should ride single file when riding in a group. TRUE

Works Cited
               “Sharing the Road”
                    
    Nueces County Safe Communities Coalition

       “The Smart Route to Bicycle Safety”
    National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)

               “Kids, Bikes, & Safety”
                
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

             “Be an Expert Bike Driver”
Corpus Christi- Nueces County Public Health District

            “Texas Bicycle Driver Rules”
          Texas Department of Public Safety
                    Presentation revised 9/2012