Chief’s Column: If you want to use your head, wear a helmet

A few weeks ago, I spoke about the proper use of bike helmets and basic bicycle maintenance. The bottom line is…all bikers should wear helmets. This week, I’ll review some basic rules of the road including safe clothing for bicycling. The following information is provided by Kids Health at www.kidshealth.org.

Rules of the Road for Bike Riding

Here are some must-know safety tips to teach kids:

• Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as cars do. Yield to pedestrians, stop at red lights, and be especially careful at intersections. Always ride in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.
• Try to use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever you can — not the sidewalk!
• Never ride at dusk or in the dark without proper lighting and reflectors.
• Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving a driveway, an alley or a curb.
• Watch traffic closely for turning cars or cars leaving driveways. Don’t ride too close to parked cars…doors can open suddenly.
• Always walk a bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
• When riding in a group, always ride single file on the street. When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left and call out “On your left!” so they’ll watch for you.
• Never share the seat with a friend or ride on the handlebars…only one person should be on a bike at a time. It’s easy to lose balance or suddenly swerve into traffic when riding with a passenger.
• Never wear headphones while biking — it’s essential to hear everyone else on the road at all times.
• Never stand up while riding a bike and never hitch a ride on a moving vehicle.
• Never change directions or lanes without first looking behind you, and always use the correct hand signals. Use your left arm for all hand signals:
• Left turn: After checking behind you, hold your arm straight out to the left and ride forward slowly.
• Stop: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, pointing your arm downward in an upside down “L” shape and come to a stop.
• Right turn: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, holding your arm up in an “L” shape, and ride forward slowly.

Safe Clothing

What kids wear when riding a bike is also very important for safety:

• Fluorescent or bright-colored clothes will help kids be visible on the road. (Avoid dark clothes, especially during early dusk and twilight hours.) Lightweight clothes will help them avoid becoming overheated.
• Pant legs shouldn’t be too loose-fitting or flared. These can get caught up in the chain while riding. Choose shoes that grip the bike’s pedals. Cleats, shoes with heels, or flip-flops can all create problems while riding. Kids should never ride barefoot!
• If your child wears a backpack while riding, make sure the straps are tied up and can’t get tangled in the spokes of the wheels.

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr.

Chief of Police