Bike Safety
Safe Routes to School
BIKE SAFETY
Helmets
- Make sure that your helmet fits tight with the foam pads it comes with.
- Your helmet should be fit with the front just above the top of the eyebrows.
- Adjust the two side straps so they meet in a "V" right under each ear.
- Adjust the chin strap snugly. Make it tight enough so the helmet pulls down when you open your mouth.
- Replace a helmet which has been in a crash.
 Come to a complete stop at STOP signs. When there are no vehicles or pedestrians in the intersection and it is safe, you may go through the intersection.
A yield sign means to slow down and be ready to stop. If there are pedestrians or vehicles in or nearing the intersection, you must stop. If there is no traffic in or nearing the intersection and it is safe, you may go through.
Do not enter means that this is a one way street, and you may not go this way. This is also a rule for bikers.
This is a one way street, car drivers must drive in the direction of the arrow. This is also a rule for bikers.
This sign means you are coming to a crosswalk. You must stop to allow people in the crosswalk to cross the street. If you are using a crosswalk to cross the street, you should look carefully to be sure it is safe to cross.
This sign means that you are coming to an intersection and should use caution.
This sign means you are near a school. When school is starting and ending the school is a very busy and crowded area. There are children being dropped off or picked up by both school buses and parents. Look carefully if you have to cross the street. If you must walk through parked traffic, stop and look carefully before stepping out from between vehicles. Remember the danger areas close to school buses where the driver can't see you.
This sign means you are coming to a railroad crossing. Railroad tracks are uneven. You should not try to ride over them. Many railroad grade crossings have a gate with a bell and blinking lights that closes when a train is approaching. NEVER go around a closed railroad gate. Trains are very large and heavy and take a long time to stop. Always look and listen carefully to be sure a train is not coming before crossing the tracks.
When people are working on the roads, parts of the road or sidewalk are often dug up or rough. Use caution when crossing. Uneven, rough roads could make you fall off your bike or in-line skates. If you must move into the road to go around a work area, you should stop and look carefully to be sure there is no traffic coming before going into the road.
A detour is a way of getting around a roadway that is closed. Roads are usually closed because of road work or dangerous conditions. Use caution on roads you aren't used to. |
Hand Signals
Hand signals are very important when you are on the road. It helps for drivers to know what you are doing so that they can drive safely around you. The picture below shows you what you should do if you are making a left turn, right turn, or stopping.
Rules of the Road
If you follow the rules of the road, riding can be safe and fun!
- When riding in traffic, stay as far to the right as you can. This is where the bike lane is usually found and where drivers are used to seeing bike riders.
- Know and obey all road signs and signals. See above.
- Use your hand signals to tell drivers when you are turning or stopping. See above. Don’t make sudden moves or swerve around. Drivers cannot always react fast enough to you.
- Always look behind you when you are switching lanes and listen for cars behind or next to you.
- Don’t get too close behind cars. They might not be able to see you.
- Always be ready to stop. Keep your hands on the handlebars and on the brakes, ready for anything that might come up suddenly.
- Check your bike before you ride. Make sure the brakes work, you have enough air in your tires, and the chain is on and working right. Also make sure the seat is the right height for you. You should be able to sit on the seat with knees straight and feet flat on the ground.
- When you are riding at during the day wear bright clothing. When you are riding at night make sure you have on reflective clothing and that the reflectors and lights on your bike are bright enough for someone to see you.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
What is Safe Routes to School ?
In August of 2005 the president signed the "Safe, Accountable, Flexable Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU). As part of this bill 612 million dollars was earmarked to establish Safe Routes to School programs for K-8 schools in every state. Safe Routes to School programs empower communities to make walking and bicycling to schools an attractive, routine and safe activity thereby building life-long habits of walking and bicycling.
How can my community build a Safe Routes program?
Safe Routes programs are generally developed for individual schools (K-8) by collaborative groups of concerned parents, teachers, public works officials, law enforcement officers, health officers and other interested stakeholders. Information on the current situation regarding students bicycling and walking is collected, solutions are explored and a plan of action is developed. The Nevada Department of Transportation will be providing training on the development of Safe Route to School plans at regional locations around the state.
For more information please visit the Safe Routes to School website here.
Want more information? Visit KidsHealth.org, to learn more about seat belts, booster seats, where to sit in the car and facts about air bags and how to be safe on the bus.
