| As gas prices sky rocket, more and more people are | | | | signals. While riding in the road, bicycles must follow the |
| turning to bicycles as their primary mode of | | | | rules other vehicles do. This includes never riding |
| transportation. A bicycle is a great way to save | | | | against traffic because motorists aren't looking for |
| money, conserve energy, reduce emissions and stay | | | | bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road and may |
| fit., but using your bike during a busy commute to work | | | | not see you there until it is too late. You should also |
| or on crowded city street can be dangerous, so it is | | | | never pass on the right. Motorists often pass on the |
| important to closely follow bicycle safety rules and | | | | right, even though it is usually forbidden, back a car is a |
| guidelines. In fact, each year, more than half a million | | | | lot easier to see coming up from behind a driver than a |
| bicyclists visit the hospital for bike related injuries, in | | | | bicycle is. |
| addition to an estimated one million more who seek | | | | During your ride, make sure you continuously scan the |
| treatment for bicycle accidents a in their physician's | | | | road behind you. You should be able to look back over |
| office. Bike injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. | | | | your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving. |
| People who think they are safe because they are just | | | | If that seems difficult, try installing a rear-view mirror on |
| going for a short leisurely ride or are planning to stay in | | | | your bike or attaching one to your helmet. Also, be |
| the neighborhood are mistaken. On the contrary, most | | | | sure that both your hands are ready to brake at all |
| serious crashes occur on quiet neighborhood streets. | | | | times, because you may not stop in time if you have |
| The number one rule in observing bicycle safety is to | | | | to brake one-handed. And remember to allow extra |
| put on your helmet before every ride. While falling off | | | | distance for stopping in the rain, since breaks are less |
| your bike will still be painful even if you have a helmet | | | | efficient when wet. |
| on, broken bones heal whereas many brain injuries do | | | | Some bicyclists ride with headphones, however this is |
| not. Each year, nearly 70,000 bicyclists suffer serious | | | | not a good bicycle safety habit. Its important to be able |
| head injuries and many never fully recover. Research | | | | to hear horns, sirens and cars they may be creeping |
| has shown that bicycle helmets can prevent three out | | | | up behind you. Also, do not ride in dark clothing, |
| of four serious cycling head injuries. Head injury | | | | especially at night. Motorists will have any easier time |
| rehabilitation is a very costly and difficult challenge. | | | | seeing you if you're wearing something bright that |
| Starting a new bicycle safety habit can be hard to | | | | doesn't blend in with the asphalt or the dark night sky. |
| stick to at first, but after a few weeks of putting it on | | | | Finally, using hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians |
| before each ride, it will become second nature. | | | | what you intend to do. In fact, like a car, you must use |
| There are a number of other very important bicycle | | | | hand signals by law before making a turn or lane |
| safety tips to remember before going out for any ride, | | | | change. |
| long or short. First, be sure to obey traffic signs and | | | | |