Arrange for secure bike parking. Contact your

employer about parking or carry a good lock.

Helmet (ANSI and/or Snell

approved)

Billion dollars: the amount

the U.S. automobile

industry spends on

advertising each year.

Water bottle(s) & cage(s)

Choose your route. Study maps and base your

route on the traffic volume at the time of day

you'll be riding.

Lights & reflectors (for night

riding)

Billion dollars: the amount

the federal government

spends on transit each

year.

Drive your route first. Look at shoulder construc-

tion, street surface and street condition of the

route your are considering for your commute.

Lock

Frame pump of CO2 inflation kit

Spare tube, patch kit, tire

levers

Obey traffic signs and signals. Cyclists have the

same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle

operators. Cyclists must drive like other vehicles

if they are to be taken seriously by motorists.

Bicycles: the number that

can be built using the

same energy and

resources required to build

one medium-size car.

Compact first aid kit

Tools specific to your bike

Never ride with headphones.

Wear comfortable clothes but look out for shoe

laces, pant legs, draw strings or items that can

get caught in your bike chain, brakes or spokes.

Make sure your bicycle is in

good riding condition. On a

periodic basis you should take

it to a bicycle shop for a check-

up or inspect the following

things yourself:

Source: Thunderhead Alliance

and Trek Bicycle Corp.

If you are riding at night or at dusk:

Wear light colored clothing. Consider clothing

with reflective tape sewn into it or add some

yourself.

Brakes - Standing next to

your bike, push it forward

squeezing each brake one at

a time. Each brake should

offer considerable resistance.

Use a light. The front light should be white and

a rear one red or orange. A front reflector is

not a suitable substitute for a front light.

Make sure you have a red rear reflector. Side

or pedal reflectors are helpful too.

Wheels - Grab hold of each

wheel alternately and try to

move it side to side without

moving the frame. The wheel

shouldn't wobble. Lift the bike

and spin each wheel. Look for

spots where the brake

touches the rim. If it does,

this will require adjustment.

Take adequate protection for changing weather

conditions (e.g., rain).

Never ride against the flow of traffic.

Watch for turning automobiles. A vehicle turning

left across your path may not see you. Be pre-

pared to stop. A vehicle slowing to turn right

should never be passed on the right. After check-

ing traffic behind you and signaling, you may

pass on the left.

Tires - Check the pressure

with a gauge or by thumb

pressure. (It should be firm.)

The recommended pressure

is normally printed on the

side of the tire. Fill your tires

using a hand pump to avoid

over inflation or possible

blow-out caused by using gas

station compressors set for

automobile tires.

Never pass a bus on the right as you may collide

with passengers getting off the bus.

When riding near parked cars, be aware that car

doors can suddenly open in front of you. Ride far

enough away from parked cars that an open door

won't be a problem.

Seat - Adjust seat height so

your knee is just slightly bent

when the pedal is straight

down. If major adjustments

are needed, make them

incrementally, allowing your

body time to adjust to each

new setting.

When riding on a two-lane road be aware of

traffic backing up behind you and allow it to pass

whenever possible.

Be considerate to right-turning motorists when

stopped at an intersection by leaving them room

to make their turn, especially if it is possible to

make a right turn on red.

Handlebars - Holding the

front wheel still, try to move

the handlebars from side to

side. If the handlebars turn

more that the wheel, they

need tightening.

Let pedestrians and other cyclists know you are

passing them with an audible warning before you

pass. If a conflict arises, pedestrians have the

right-of-way.

Avoid road hazards. Watch out for gravel or

debris. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Steering - Holding the

handlebars, depress the front

brake lever and rock the bike

back and forth over the front

wheel. If you detect play, or a

knocking noise, the headset

needs adjustment.

Keep both hands ready to brake. You may not

stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra

distance for stopping in the rain, since brakes are

less efficient when wet.

Use hand signals to tell motorists and pedestrians

what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law,

of courtesy and of self-protection.

Don't weave between or leave the curb between

parked cars. Don't ride out from between parked

cars. Motorists may not see you when you enter

traffic.

Follow lane markings. Don't turn left from the

right lane.

Chose the best way to turn left. Like an auto,

signal, move into the left turn lane and turn left;

or, like a pedestrian, ride straight to the far-side

crosswalk. Walk your bike across.

Don't pass on the right. Motorists may not look

for or see a bicycle passing on the right. Pass on

the left like other vehicles.

Make eye contact with drivers. Assume that other

drivers don't see you until you are sure that they

do. Eye contact is important with any driver which

might pose a threat to your safety.

Scan the road behind. Learn to look back over

your shoulder without losing your balance or

swerving. Some riders use rear-view mirrors, but

still look before turning.

©2007 BCCIE

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