Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Bike Safety Short List & Cycling Navigation


You can find pages and pages of tips on how to safely ride your bike. We decided to compile a Bike Safety Short List for quick viewing! We'll start by saying, know where you are going! Check out our online bike route planning tool, or download our free bike map app for iTunes and Android!

Follow the Rules of the Road:
  • Bike on the road in the same direction as traffic.
  • Stop at red lights, stop signs, and obey traffic signs (one-way, yield, etc)
  • If there's a dedicated bike lane, use it!
  • Look up your state's laws, in some states children under 18 MUST legally wear a helmet.
Safety Gear:
  • Wear a helmet (even if you are over 18!!). It can help protect that brain of yours!
  • Make sure your bike has a bell/horn
  • Riding at night (or dawn/dusk)? Be sure you have a headlight or tail light.
  • Make sure your brakes are in working condition (front and back)
  • Reflectors should be on both the front and back of bicycle, so you can be noticed from all directions!
Riding Habits:
  • Ride in a straight line
  • Ride on the right side of the lane. If you are riding with others, stay in a single-file line.
  • When making a left turn, move towards the left of the lane
  • Be aware of blind spots for drivers, and stay out of them! (especially at traffic lights)
  • Signal well. Use the proper hand signals (click here for a refresher). Make eye contact with drivers before making turns.
  • Travel with a toolkit. Be prepared for that surprise flat tire!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Bike Safety Tips for Kids and Adults - The helmet!

2013 Bike Month has arrived - Happy Bike Month to you!

It's a beautiful warm spring day. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the temperature is just right...what better than a family bike ride! You've gotten the bikes out of the shed, filled the water bottles, and mapped out your route (using the Bikepath Country App of course). But, before you take that ride, let's talk a little bit about bike safety!

There are multiple levels of bike safety, like developing the proper riding skills and bike maintenance!

Today we'll take some time to focus on one of the simple, yet incredibly important aspects of bike safety, the helmet!

When you get in a car, the first thing you do is put on your seat belt. Think of your helmet as the seat belt of your bike!

Make sure your helmet fits properly:
- Your helmet should not be too tight, or too loose, but sit comfortably on your head.
- Stay away from wearing a hat under your helmet as this can mess with the fit.
- Make sure your helmet is snug, and that it doesn't bounce around while you ride.

Helmet Positioning:
- The helmet should sit level on your head
- The helmet should cover your forehead and sit just above your eyebrows.
- Make sure the buckle is fastened under your chin (we don't want a flyway helmet!!)

Helmet Replacement:
You should consider replacing your helmet if -
- It hits the ground, or becomes dented or chipped;
- If the foam begins to harden, tear, or crumble;
- or if the fit is no longer correct (maybe your head grew?)

Stay tuned for more safety tips, and bike route ideas from Bikepath Country as Bike Month continues! Happy, Safe Riding to you!