Tips ensure bicycle safety

  • Published
  • By Capt. Barton Boma
  • 6th Air Refueling Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Daylight savings begins March 9 and with the increased daylight hours more and more bike riders are taking advantage of them.

Bike riding can be lots of fun, but accidents do happen. Around 44,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. each year; about 1 in 54 is a bicyclist. According to http://www.kidshealth.org, every year about 300,000 kids go to the emergency room due to bike-related injuries.

The best way to prevent head injuries is to make sure you wear a helmet at all times, no matter how short your ride is. Set an example by always wearing your own helmet when riding with your kids. A bike helmet should also fit properly. Never wear a hat under your bike helmet, and if you're unsure if a helmet fits you or a family member, feel free to ask a member of the Travis Bike Club to look it over for you.

Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your bike can also help you stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you, and if they see you, that means they're less likely to run into you. You'll also want to make sure that nothing will get caught in your bike chain, such as loose pant legs, backpack straps or shoelaces. Wear the right shoes - preferable sneakers - when you bike. Sandals, flip-flops, shoes with heels and cleats won't help you grip the pedals and are dangerous to ride in. Never go riding barefoot.

When riding on the street, follow these rules of the road:

-- Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway, sidewalk or entering a street. Also check both ways before changing direction.

-- Always cross at intersections. When you pull out between parked cars, drivers can't see you coming.

-- Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars do -never ride against traffic.

-- Use bike lanes or designated bike routes wherever you can.

-- Don't ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly.

-- Stop at all stop signs and obey street lights just as cars do.

-- Ride single file on the street with friends.

-- When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left side, and call out "On your left!" so they know that you are coming.

-- Use hand signals so other bikers and drivers will know what you're going to do next.

For any cycling questions, regarding safety or not, contact the Travis Bike Club.

The Travis Hawks Bike Club holds a monthly meeting the first Monday of the month at 5 p.m. After March 9, the meetings will be held at Outdoor Recreation in conjunction with weekly rides. You can find more information as well as a member application at www.clantoolz.com/hawks or email us at TravisHawks@gmail.com.