Bike Safety…
It starts with you!
Ricky learns safe cycling rules
Ricky knows that when he is riding his bike it is very important to
follow all the safety rules. Bike riding can be a lot of fun, but
serious accidents can happen.
Rules are a part of everyday activities. They keep everyone
safe. When Ricky rides his bike he does two things – rides and
thinks.
REMEMBER:
A bike is smaller, slower, lighter and has less protection than a
vehicle.
Make sure you give yourself enough space to avoid an accident.
Rules also help driver’s to see you
and it helps them to know what you
will do next when you are using your
hand signals.
Ricky thinks about all the vehicles and traffic on the streets.
What would happen if each one of them made up their own
rules? What if they all went through stop signs, drove on
the wrong side of the street and made sudden turns without
warning other drivers with a signal?
RICKY REVIEWS THE SAFETY RULES:
Stop at all signs and red lights. Make sure that the road is clear
before proceeding – Look all ways!
Always check over your shoulders behind you, before you turn or
move out on the road.
Get off your bike to cross at a crosswalk or street.
Hand Signal – always let drivers know what you are doing.
Ride in a straight line on the right side of the road in the same
direction as traffic.
Never ride close to car doors.
When riding on the sidewalk, be careful
around people walking.
Ricky knows all the traffic signs – do you?
Traffic signs help us use the roads safely.
Ride in the same
direction as the
sign.
Stop, put your foot down
and look all ways for
traffic, proceed only
when it is safe.
Let other
people go first
Road narrows - Check
ahead and behind for
traffic. Make sure you
do not get squeezed.
These signs mean lanes
are only for specific
types of vehicles,
either all the time or
during certain hours.
At a Pedestrian Crosswalk,
you must stop and yield
right of way to crossing
pedestrians.
Traffic signals are placed at intersections
to keep traffic moving safely. Drivers,
pedestrians, and bicycle riders must obey
these signals, except when a police officer
is directing traffic. Then you must obey
the officer.
RED
Come to a complete stop
YELLOW
Slow down and stop – the light will soon turn red.
GREEN
Go – but only if the intersection is clear.
Slow down, look and listen for a train.
When the lights begin to flash, stop!
A train is coming.
DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACKS!
Ricky NEVER wears headphones when he is out on his
bike, because the music can distract him from what’s really
going on around him.
Ricky also makes sure that he is wearing the right clothing. He
knows that bright colours can help to keep him safe because it
means that if other people on the road can see him, they are less
likely to run into him.
Before Ricky gets on his bike, he makes sure that there is nothing
that could get caught in his bike chain, like shoelaces, loose pant
legs and backpack straps.
He wears the right shoes so that he has
a good grip on the pedals, and he
knows never to bike ride barefooted.
Before Ricky heads out, he always starts with a check
behind both shoulders.
LETS HELP RICKY PRACTICE HIS HAND SIGNALS.
Many bikes have gears, practice changing them so that
you can use them when you need them, like when you are
riding up a hill. Pedalling should be easy so you don’t get
tired fast.
RICKY ALWAYS WEARS A HELMET EVERY TIME HE RIDES!
Ricky knows that wearing a helmet can reduce his risk of a serious head injury.
It protects his head, but most importantly – his brain.
He checks his helmet:
The edge of the helmet is two fingers above his
eyebrows to protect his forehead.
The straps meet in a “V” shape just below
his ears.
One finger fits between his chin and the
chin strap.
To make sure that his helmet fits properly,
Ricky pretends to yawn. When he yawns,
he feels his helmet press down on the top
of his head. Ricky knows that he put his
helmet on right.
MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BIKE FITS.
Both feet should be flat on the ground when straddling the
top tube of your bike.
When sitting on the bike seat you should be able to touch
the ground with both feet. Touching
with your toes is ok.
You should be able to reach the
handlebars with a gentle lean without
stretching your back or shoulders.
Ricky checks over his bike.
He makes sure his seat, handlebars, and wheels fit tightly.
He checks his chain and oils it if needed.
He checks his brakes to be sure they are working well.
He checks his tires to make sure that they have enough air.
Ricky also knows how
important it is to have a
front and back light that
work.
Be A Responsible Cyclist
Wear a helmet for your own safety.
By law you should have a white light on the front and a red light, or reflector on the
back.
Dress brightly to be seen.
When turning at intersections, be careful; Most accidents happen at intersections.
Ride about one metre from the curb in a straight line; look well ahead and avoid hazards
such as pot holes, sewer grates and debris.
Shoulder check and hand signal before turning or changing lanes.
Crime Prevention Tips
Register your bike at your local police station.
Always lock your bicycle when not in use.
Lock your bicycle by placing a chain or cable through both wheels
and the frame and attach around a stationary object.
If your bike is stolen, report the loss to the police immediately.
The law defines a bicycle as a vehicle that belongs on the
road. Riding on the road means that you are mixing with
other traffic, and it is only safe when all vehicles in traffic
use the same rules of the road.
Stay Safe!
Community Mobilization
www.torontopolice.on.ca