| BE
A SAFE CYCLIST www.michigan.gov.ohsp
Here
are some tips to help you be a safe cyclist!
Protect
Your Head - always wear a helmet.
See
and Be Seen - Wear clothes that make you more visible,
like light colors or reflective materials.
Avoid
Riding At Night - But if you have to ride after dark,
wear reflective clothing so you are more visible.
Ride
With Traffic - Always be aware of the traffic around
you and be prepared to stop.
Ride
single file in a straight line when riding on the road.
Always
Obey Traffic Signals - Learn the rules of the road
and obey traffic laws.
Stay
Alert, Avoid Road Hazards - Watch for potholes, cracks,
railroad tracks, drainage grates or obstacles in your path.
Check
Your Bike - Make sure your brakes work and tires
are properly inflated.
The
Right Helmet Fit is Important:
Make
sure bike helmets fit correctly. Read the owner's manual for
fitting instructions. Buy a helmet that fits a child now,
not a helmet to grow into. It should fit snug and sit low
on the forehead - 1-2 finger widths above the eyebrow. Helmet
should not roc side to side or slip forward or backward. A
helmet should have a sticker indicating it meets U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission standards (ASTM, ANSI, and Snell
designations all qualify).
Always
Use Hand Signals:
Left
Turn - left hand and arm extended straight out to the side
of the bike.
Right
Turn - left hand and arm extended upward from your elbow out
to the side of the bike.
Stopping
or Slowing Down - left hand and arm extended down out to the
side of the bike.
WALK
WISELY
Use
sidewalks whenever available.
Obey
traffic signals.
Cross
Streets at a Corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks
whenever possible. Most pedestrians are struck when crossing
somewhere other than an intersection.
Always
stop at the edge of a parked car, curb or
vehicle before walking out into traffic.
Look
left-right-left before crossing a street and continue
looking while crossing.
Make
eye contact with drivers prior to crossing in front of them.
Don't assume that because you can see the driver, the driver
can see you.
Never
cross mid-block.
If
you must walk along the roadway, walk facing traffic
as far to the left as possible.
If
you must walk at night or in the early morning, wear
reflective clothing and carry a flashlight. Most
pedestrian deaths occur between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Never
allow children under 10 to cross streets alone. Young
children do not have the skills to accurately judge traffic
risks.
Older
adults need to allow for enough time to safely cross
the street.
When
a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, over 80 percent of the
time the pedestrian is killed or seriously injured. By following
the safety tips, you can help prevent serious injury or death. |
