Excerpted from "A Year of Health Hints"
365 Practical Ways to Feel Better and Live Longer
Wearing a helmet is the single most important thing you can do
to prevent serious injury from bicycle accidents. In one recent
year, more than 125,000 cyclists suffered head injuries, most of
which could have been prevented if they'd been wearing helmets.
Other injury-preventive measures include wearing gloves, choosing
the right size bike, and riding on well-maintained roads
(discussed later in this tip). But wearing a helmet is still
critical.
Not just any old helmet will do, however. Look for the
following features.
Outer layer or
shell is bright yellow, white, orange, or red (so motorists can
see you more easily),
and is constructed of
hard plastic or polycarbonate
Waterproof finish
Stiff polystyrene
lining
Securely attached
nylon strap and fastener
Label signifying
that the American Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial
Foundation has
certified the helmet
as safe
Whatever your cycling style, don't sacrifice safety for
thrills. To be sure your equipment is safe and reliable:
Choose a bike
that's right for your size. When seated, you should be able to
put one foot on the
ground without leaning
the bike to one side or the other.
Brakes should be
in good working order--that is, enabling you to stop within 15
feet while riding
at 10 miles per hour.
Check tires for
worn spots, punctures, or other signs of wear. Fix or repair, as
needed.
By law, all
bicycles must have red reflectors, visible for 500 feet, on the
sides, rear, and pedals.
The bicycle should
have headlights.
Rearview mirrors
are optional, but helpful.
Additional tips every bicyclist should bear in mind:
Obey all
traffic laws, just as you would if you were driving a car. (Ride
with traffic, not against
it; observe traffic
signs and signals; stay to the right; maintain a safe following
distance between
you and the vehicle
ahead of you; and use hand signals for turning.)
Look behind you
before turning or changing lanes.
Consider walking
your bike across intersections not governed by traffic signals,
especially if traffic
is heavy.
Whenever possible,
choose routes over smooth pavement.
Drive defensively,
anticipating the actions of motorists, pedestrians, and other
bikers.
Keep your eyes on
the road. Watch for potholes, parked cars, and children or
animals entering
your path.
Pay attention.
Don't listen to a portable radio or tape player while riding.
Don't B.W.I.--bike
while intoxicated. It's just as risky as driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
The above rules apply whether you're biking for exercise,
sport, or transportation.