1 Riding a bicycle is one of the great thrills in life. Once you get going, the wind rushes against your face. Objects move quickly out of view. It feels like flying. Plus, there's a big bonus. You now have the ability to go places on your own. Some kids ride their bicycles to school. Others ride to the park or their friend's house. As long as you are safe, riding a bike is an exciting skill to have.
Knowing the Rules of the Road
2 To get around on a bike, you'll have to learn to ride on the street. To ride on the street, you have to learn the rules of the road. The best way to learn the rules of the road is when you're in a car. Watch how drivers react to traffic signs. Observe the flow of cars. Ask the driver questions about the things you see. In this way, you'll come to understand how driving on the road works.
3 Riding a bicycle is just like driving a car. When you're riding on a street, you share the road with cars that are much bigger than you are! You don't want to get hurt. You also don't want to hurt anyone. By knowing and following the rules of the road, you will be sure to arrive safely. Here's a list of safety tips for bicyclists.
Traffic Safety Rules for Bikers
1. Know what traffic signs mean.
2. Ride with traffic on the right side of the street.
3. Learn to use hand signals so other drivers know what you are about to do.
4. Keep both hands on the handlebars, except when giving hand signals.
5. When traveling with others, ride in a single line, not side-by-side.
6. Slow down and look both ways when coming to cross streets.
7. Walk your bike across busy streets.
8. Most bikes are meant for one rider, so keep it that way.
9. Watch out for hazards in the road, like holes, sticks, or animals.
10. People on foot always have the right of way.
11. Watch for cars pulling into traffic as they may not see you.
12. When riding near parked cars, be on the lookout for opening doors.
13. Always wear a helmet to protect your head in case of a crash.
Making Your Bike Safe to Ride
4 Before drivers of cars start to move, they do certain safety checks. They check their mirrors. They fasten their seat belts. Before you get on a bike, there are some safety checks that you should do, too.
5 Adjust your bicycle to fit you. Stand over your bicycle. There should be one to two inches between you and the top bar. The seat should be level. The seat height should allow your feet to touch the ground easily. The handlebars should be near the same level as the seat.
6 Check your equipment. Before riding, inflate the tires properly. Check that your brakes work. Also, make sure your clothing cannot get caught in the chain or wheels.
7 See and be seen. Always wear bright colors when riding your bike. Make sure your bike has reflectors and reflective tape every place it will stick. Flashing lights are also good. Just because you can see a car doesn't mean the driver can see you. The flashier you are, the better your chances are of being seen. Once you have checked your equipment, you are ready for a safe ride.
8 Practice before you go. It's best to practice riding on the street with the help of someone older before you go too far. You and your parents must feel confident in your skills before you set out on your own. Be certain that you are truly ready. It's not enough to know how to operate your bicycle. You must also know the rules of the road and be a safe driver.
The Benefits of Bicycling
9 Once you've learned to be a safe driver, you can enjoy the benefits of biking. Bikes don't cost a lot of money to operate. They also create zero emissions, so they're environmentally friendly. Biking is good exercise and makes you healthier. You can also travel five times faster than walking. And when performed safely, bicycling is a thrill and a skill that will last a lifetime.
