Bike Safety

Do you bike a lot? Well, if you don't, here are some quick and easy bike tips to be successful in biking.

Bike Safety Tip 1: Always Wear a Helmet

Before you start biking, you strap a helmet on because if you fall in a tree, post, or any hard object, you have a cushion to support you. Thick plastic foam inside the hard outer shell of a helmet cushions the blow; the helmet actually absorbs the energy that would reach our head.

Extra fact: It’s the law to wear a helmet. Last week I saw someone got ticketed for not wearing a helmet.

Bike Safety Tip 2: Use Hand Signals

When taking a turn, you should use your hand to turn left or right. To turn left, raise your left hand to the left. When turning to the right, there are 2 ways to use your hand. You can raise your right hand straight ahead or to the right. To stop put your hand down.

Extra fact: you can also use eye contact to turn, but it depends on the situation.

Bike Safety Tip 3: Use Light/Reflection Gear in the Dark

If you usually bike in the dark, make sure your bike lights are working and using light, yellow, or reflective clothing is a good way in order to be seen in the dark.

Bike Safety Tip 4: Always Stop at a Stop Sign

Just like cars, bicycles have to stop at a stop sign. The reason is because bikes are treated like cars at stop signs and traffic lights. If bikers don’t stop at a stop sign, cars might crash into the bikes.

Extra fact: the same amount of a car being fined at stop signs is about the same amount of a bike being fined ($167).

Bike Safety Tip 5: Plan Your Route

When going to a new place, you should plan a route just in case you go the wrong way or get lost. Maybe you can use a map to plan your route.

Extra fact: Look up on the street signs on the way to check if you are on the right route.