Bicycle safety involves a lot more than simply watching for motor vehicle traffic on major streets as you pedal along: you have to practice at home even before you ride, and something that you always have to think about while you are on your bike.
Before you choose a bicycle, ensure that it's the proper size for you, or you may have problems controlling it. With your feet flat on the ground, you should be able to straddle the bicycle's frame with a bit of room to spare. Before you go night riding, equip your bike with lights and buy reflective clothing so that you will be more easily visible to drivers.
A well-maintained bike is a safe bike, so you should always be sure that your bicycle is in good working order. Have your bike professionally tuned-up at a bike store at least once a year, and check for loose nuts and bolts, particularly on the handlebar, pedal, brake, and wheel assemblies every time you ride.
When you are cycling, always wear a CSA approved helmet and never wear a helmet that was not intended for cycling. Adjust the straps and foam padding so that the helmet fits properly. Your helmet should be snug and level on your head; it should not be tipped back to expose your forehead, it should not be able to wiggle from side to side, nor should it be tipped forward so that it might block your vision.
When riding your bike, always keep certain basic traffic and safety principles in mind. A bicycle is a vehicle that should be ridden on the road, and you must follow the same "rules of the road" as drivers of automobiles. Obey all traffic signs and signals, and ride on the right side of the street so that you go with traffic and not against it.
Ride predictably and use the proper hand signals so that drivers know what you are planning. Hold your left arm straight out to signal that you are turning left.
Bend your left arm at the elbow and point your hand straight up for a right turn signal. Bend your left arm at the elbow and point your hand at the ground to signal that you are going to stop.
Ride at least one metre from the right-hand curb, or from any cars that are parked alongside it. Like cars, turn left from near the street's centreline, and turn right from near the right-hand curb. Always shoulder-check when changing lanes or turning, and be aware of what pedestrians, motorists, and other cyclists may do. Only small children who do not yet have the skills to ride on the street should ride on the sidewalk.
This article is one of a series being provided this summer by safety organizations in Saskatchewan including: the Saskatchewan Safety Council; CAA Saskatchewan; Lifesaving Society Saskatchewan; St. John Ambulance; Saskatchewan Cycling Association; and the Saskatchewan All Terrain Vehicle Association.
