Jason's Bike

League of American Bicyclists certified traffic cycling instructors demonstrate the rights and duties of cyclists in the United States. The video shows cyclists acting as drivers of vehicles making normal vehicular maneuvers including lane control, lane sharing, left and right turns, through movements and a freeway ramp crossing. This video is intended to show cyclists and motorists how it looks when cyclists act and are treated as vehicle drivers in normal urban traffic in the City of Long Beach, California. These skills are taught by the League of American Bicyclists, Smart Cycling program. You can find instructors and classes in your state at the education area of the League website: www.bikeleague.org

we thought we should go to this camp cuz we all got new bikes

Sam Sprocket's Bike Safety Camp, part 2 of 3

Points out that the bicycle rider is responsible for maintaining the bicycle in good condition, obeying traffic rules and watching out for others. The film also reads like a laundry list of hazardous things to attempt on your bicycle! But, for better urban bike riding skills: www.bikexprt.com

1963 Bicycle Safety Film entitled "One Got Fat". A group of monkey-masked kids decide to ride their bikes to the park for a picnic. Along the way, one by one, the kids are knocked out of the ride due to careless or unsafe riding. Narration by Edward Everett Horton of "Fractured Fairytales" (Old Rocky and Bullwinkle) fame.

A new educational video from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on safely driving, fitting and maintaining a bicycle.

One of the most enjoyable activities in a child's life is bicycle riding. Kids seem to use bicycles to go everywhere. Teaching your child the proper bicycle safety can prevent them from sustaining any serious injuries.

The first step to safety with a bicycle is the bicycle itself. Making sure that the bicycle is kept in good operating condition is important. Your child should check the brakes regularly and in the case of hand brakes, worn pads should be replaced. Rims that have missing spokes should also be replaced to ensure that the wheels are sturdy, especially if your child is doing a lot of jumping. Reflectors and headlights are helpful accessories if your child rides in traffic frequently. You should also check that your child's bicycle is adjusted properly for his height. If the child cannot touch the ground properly, this situation can make his ability to stop and start difficult and can pose a serious threat when riding in traffic.

Clothing is a very important element to practice bicycle safety. Your child should wear a helmet at all times to prevent him from sustaining a head injury. Smaller children who are still shaky on their bicycles may want to wear elbow and knee pads also. For children who ride regularly in traffic, reflective or light colored clothing is recommended, especially for riding past dusk in the evening. These clothes will enable oncoming motorists to see them against the dark sky.

Younger children should not ride in traffic at all and older children should refrain from doing it unless there is no other choice. Your child should try to stick to marked paths or trails instead of busy city streets. If your child does need to ride in traffic, he should always remember to travel in the same direction as the traffic. Hand signals should always be performed when turning in traffic so the motorists will know which way the child is going to go. The standard hand signals are extending the left arm straight out to turn left and bending the left arm at the elbow with the forearm pointing up to turn right. These only take a few minutes to do and can prevent your child from being hit by an oncoming vehicle.

For older children, riding double is never a good idea. Single-seated bicycles are not designed to be ridden with two people on them. It throws your balance off and both you and your passenger can be hurt in a spill.

Many children also enjoy jumping on their bicycles. This is not recommended on a bicycle with a standard design. For children that want to do a lot of jumping, the mountain bikes that are on the market hold up best during this activity. The rims are reinforced and do not bend as easily to make for easier landings. It is recommended that these children should do this kind of jumping in existing bike ramp areas. Building ramps and jumps on their own can be a key for disaster.

Bicycling can be a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous as well. By teaching your child bicycle safety, you can ensure that he has a safe and enjoyable experience.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 784 bicyclists were killed in 2005 while riding their bikes. In 2004, there were 725 deaths, and for the four years previous, annual bicycling deaths ranted from 629 to 732 people each year.

Statistics for bicycling injuries are not readily available, since most do not get reported.

Use the Proper Equipment

1. Be sure your bike fits you properly and is adjusted for your size.

2. Equip your bike with safety equipment: a white headlight (preferably one you can set to a flashing mode for use during the daytime to make yourself more visible), reflectors and/or reflective tape or markings, a flashing red rear light (essential for riding at night), a horn or a bell (to give audible signals to let drivers know where you are—or that you’re there at all), and mirrors on your handlebars.

3. Each time, before you ride, check to see that tires are properly inflated, that the brakes work, and that nothing is loose on your bike.

Dress For Cycling

4. Always wear a properly fitted bike helmet to protect you in case of a fall or crash. (Consider putting a mirror on your helmet, too.)

5. Wear bright, neon colors and/or reflective clothing—even during the day.

6. At night, wear a reflective jacket or vest or a safety triangle.

Plan Ahead

7. Know the rules of the road and any specific bicycling rules for your area

8. Plan to travel in slow or residential areas when possible to avoid fast-moving downtown traffic.

9. Avoid narrow roads and opt for wide roads where there is more room for bicycles and cars to maneuver if you can.

10. Always stay alert. Don’t ride with headphones or an ipod. And NEVER use your cell phone while biking!

11. Never be in a hurry. When you’re in a hurry, you can get careless or take unnecessary chances. It also makes it more likely that you could be darting in and out quickly and automobile drivers might not even see you.

When Bicycling

12. Use your headlight—even during the day—so drivers have a better chance of seeing you.

13. Use your mirrors so you know what is going on around you at all times.

14. Ride on the street with other traffic, not on the sidewalk, traveling in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic, not against it.

15. Know—and use—hand signals. Be sure to give plenty of notice in advance of when you are going to make a turn. Then be sure to look over your shoulder to be sure your path is clear before making the actual turn.

16. Be consistent and predictable so motorists know what you are going to do. Drive in a straight line. Don’t swerve, weave in and out of traffic or parked cars, or make any erratic or sudden moves.

17. Obey traffic signs, signals, and road markings and yield to pedestrians – just like any other vehicle on the roadway.

18. Use your horn or bell if you will be crossing in front of another vehicle so you give an audible signal—it’s more likely to get the other motorists attention.

19. Make eye contact with motorists if possible, so you know that they see you.

Drive Defensively

20. Watch for hazards such as pot holes, puddles, loose gravel, spare car parts, drain grates, rocks, litter or garbage, parked cars opening their doors, pets running loose, and other vehicles.

21. Ride to the left of the parking lane to avoid hitting a car door that opens unexpectedly in front of you.

22. At a red light, stop behind another car. Do not pull up next to the first car at the light where you will be in the blind spot and risk getting hit if the car makes a right turn and the driver doesn’t know you’re there.

23. When you follow a vehicle that is moving slow, be patient. It may be getting ready to make a turn. Don’t try to rush past it or get up beside it in the driver’s blind spot.

24. Always look behind you (over your shoulder) before making a turn—for other vehicles, for other bicycles, and for pedestrians.

25. Always look behind you (over your shoulder) before you change your position in the lane of traffic, as a vehicle could be getting ready to come alongside you or pass you.

26. Never swerve in and out of traffic or in and out of the parking lane. Maintain steady placement in your lane.

27. Double check everything! Even if you have the right of way, a car or other vehicle is much larger than a bicycle and for your own safety, you have to be prepared to yield at all times.

28. Always drive, ride, and act as if other drivers can’t see you! Put your safety first.