Bicycle

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Bicycle Safety WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
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• Riding a bicycle is a great way to be physically
  active. Some people even regard this two-wheeled
  device as their main form of transportation.
• This presentation will focus on tips related to
  bicycle safety.

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protect yourself
and others

• Whatever gets you pedaling, its important to
  protect yourself and others you encounter when
  cycling on roads or trails.
• This includes other cyclists, motorists,
  pedestrians, in-line skaters, and trail users.

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Five Categories of Bicycle Safety

1. Proper bicycle sizing
2. Bicycle maintenance and repair
3. Bicycle helmets and other safety equipment
4. Bicycle handling skills
5. Cycling in traffic

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What Should I Know About
1Proper bicycle sizing?

• Your bike should fit your body size so it is easy
  to control, comfortable to ride, and not harmful
  to your knees.
• Also, your seat and handlebars should be at the
  correct height for you.
• For more information on sizing, visit
  www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/cyclingskil
  ls.htmfit

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What Should I Know About
2Bicycle maintenance and repair?

• All bicycle parts should always be in good
  working order, especially before the first ride
  of the season. Pay special attention to brakes,
  tire pressure, chain, and all bolts on shift
  levers, seat, handlebars, and wheels.
• Ask a reputable bike shop near you about the
  availability of hands-on workshops where you
  could learn basic maintenance and repair skills.
• For a bike safety checklist, visit
  www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/cyclingskil
  ls.htmcheck

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What Should I Know About
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Wearing a bicycle helmet and using other safety
equipment?

• A helmet absorbs the forces created when you are
  in a crash or collision.This can potentially save
  your life or prevent a permanent injury.
• In Ontario, its the law for all cyclists under
  18 years old to wear a safety-approved bicycle
  helmet.

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adults too!

• It is strongly recommended for adults to wear a
  helmet, for their own safety and to set a good
  example for children. However, this is not
  required by law in Ontario.

Always look for a Canadian Standards Association
(CSA)approved sticker on the helmet.
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your legal responsibility

• In addition to helmets for youth and children,
  there is legislation in Ontario for the use and
  placement of the following bicycle safety
  equipment
• Lights
• Reflective tape
• Bell
• Brakes

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Other Safety Equipment

• Bicycle Lighting
• Cyclists should be as visible as possible.
• Wear white or brightly coloured clothing and
  helmet.
• Put reflective tape on your clothing or wear a
  reflective vest or jacket.
• Put reflective tape on the front and rear bike
  forks.
• Attach a red reflector or red light at the rear
  and a white front light when you ride between 30
  minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after
  sunrise.

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Other Safety Equipment

• Bicycle Noise-makers
• Its important to warn others that you are
  approaching.This includes motorists, other
  cyclists, pedestrians, joggers,etc.
• Make sure you have a working horn or bell on your
  bike. It may also be effective to shout something
  like, passing on the left when sharing trails
  with others.

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What Should I Know About
4Bicycle handling skills?

• Knowing how to safely operate your bike includes
  
• A good place to practice your skills is in an
  empty parking lot. To learn more, visit
  www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/cyclingskil
  ls.htmhandling

• Getting on and off
• Shifting gears
• Using brakes
• Using hand signals for stopping and making turns

• Using emergency handling skills
• Cycling with children on a child bicycle carrier
  or in a child trailer

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Cycling Againfor the first time
If you have not cycled for some years, it may be
difficult to keep your balance when you first
get back on your bike. This can be dangerous and
increase your risk for a serious injury.
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Balance is Key
Before riding your bike again for the first time
on the trails or road, be sure to practice basic
bicycle handling skills. With a little
practice, you will soon feel comfortable and
confident to safely enjoy cycling once again.
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A Note about Child Bicycle Carriers

• Using carriers (mounted child seats) or bicycle
  trailers can introduce young children to biking
  but its important to know the potential risks.
• Children under one year old should not be carried
  in either type because they are too small to
  support wearing a bicycle helmet.

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Child Bicycle Carriers

• The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (2003)
  identifies the trailer towed behind your bicycle
  as safer than a carrier because it is lower to
  the ground. However, according to Safe Kids
  Canada (2006), injuries can happen with both
  types.

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Child Bicycle Carriers

• There are many ways to reduce the risk of serious
  injury when using either a bicycle carrier or
  trailer. Also, there are safety features to look
  for when considering buying one of them.
• For more information,visit www.sickkids.ca/SKCForP
  arents/
• Click on safety information by topic and go to
  wheeled activities.

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• Provinces other than Ontario also have bicycle
  helmet legislation, some of which require
  cyclists of all ages to wear helmets. Check out
  legislation about bicycle helmets and other safe
  cycling topics where you live
• Alberta Transportation
• British Columbia Ministry of Transportation
• Manitoba Transportation Government Services
• New Brunswick Department of Transportation
• Transports Québec
• For more information on proper helmet fitting,
  visit www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/cycli
  ngskills.htmhelmets

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What Should I Know About
5Cycling in traffic?

• A bicycle is considered a vehicle so cyclists
  must legally obey the same rules of the road as
  motorists. When everyone uses the same rules,
  actions can be predicted and injuries can be
  prevented.
• Its always best when everyone can anticipate
  others moves and plan accordingly.

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More on Cycling in Traffic

• A bicycle is much narrower and usually slower
  than most other vehicles.
• Because of this, a cyclist must stay to the
  right of the lane and give the right of way
  to faster traffic when it is safe and
  practical.
• When changing lanes is required, the vehicle in
  the other lane always has the right-of-way.

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Cycling in Traffic

• Having good bike handling skills is essential if
  you cycle in traffic, especially in situations
  that could potentially result in a collision.
• Always scan the road ahead for potential hazards,
  like parked cars, debris and holes in the road,
  or vehicles turning.

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Cycling in Traffic

• Always assume that others cannot see you. Use
  caution, slow down, and proceed only when it is
  safe.
• To learn more about cycling in traffic and the
  rules of the road when cycling, visit
  http//www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/cycl
  ingskills.htmtraffic

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Attention Parents and Caregivers

• If you have children in your life as a family
  member or as a volunteer, you can greatly
  influence children about the importance of
  playing safely.
• Be a role model for safety. Wear recommended
  safety gear and practice safety guidelines when
  doing any sport or recreational activity.
• Set strict safety rules. For example, if a child
  does not wear the appropriate safety gear,
  then they should not be able to participate in
  that activity.

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All children should grow up

• seeing and learning that there are lots of
  physical activities to be enjoyed, provided
  some precautions are taken to reduce the risk
  of serious injury.

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Key References

• Canada Safety Council. (2005). What to teach
  your children about bicycle safety. Retrieved
  January 29, 2007, from www.safety-council.org/inf
  o/child/bicycle.htm
• Canadian Biking Association. (2007). Information
  for parents A-B-C Quick check. Retrieved
  January 19, 2007, from www.canadian-cycling.com/
  cca/education/canbike_quicktips.shtm.
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation. (2003).
  Cycling skills. Toronto Author.
• Safe Kids Canada. (2006). Bike carriers and
  trailers. Retrieved January 29, 2007, from
  http//www.sickkids.ca/SKCForParents/section.asp?
  sSafetyInformationbyTopicsID10774

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Other Resources

• Latest Health Issues newsletter Think Smart
  Injuries Arent Accidents
• Latest brochure Drivers Your Attention Please
• Other electronic presentation Seniors and Falls
  Prevention