bike safety comes with three things
TRANSCRIPT
three things proper equipment and bike
inspections, competency and knowledge, and last but just as important is skills or skill tests
Did you know that 6 out of 10 provinces have helmet laws?
• British Columbia — all cyclists
• Manitoba — cyclists under 18
• Alberta — cyclists under 18
• Ontario — cyclists under 18
• Nova Scotia — all cyclists
• New Brunswick — all cyclists
• Newfoundland - all cyclists
• Prince Edward Island — all cyclists
SO WHAT DID YOU DO TO EDUCATE SOMEONE ABOUT BIKE SAFETY THIS YEAR?
Did you talk with everyone you know about the ABC of Bicyles
A — Air
Before you ride your bike, be sure to check your tires to ensure they are properly inflated. Also
check your tires to ensure they are not worn, cracked or gouged.
B — Brakes, Bar & Bell
• Brakes
If you have handlebar brakes, squeeze the brake levers to ensure they are working. Also
check the brake pads for wear and tear.
• Handlebar
Ensure your handlebar is set at the correct height. The key is setting the handlebar height
correctly so that you can ride comfortably without strain on your back, shoulders or wrists.
• Bell
Ensure you have a working bell so that you can communicate clearly to other road users.
C — Chain & Crank
• Chain
Check the chain to ensure it is secure and is not slipping from the gears. Also check to see if
it needs any oil.
• Crank
Run your bicycle through its gears to ensure you can shift gears easily and cleanly.
1. Headset/Front Fork: Check that it turns freely and doesn't rattle.
2. Brakes: Check that the nuts on the brakes are tight. Brake pads should not touch the
rims unless you are squeezing the brakes. Brake levers should stop at least 2.5
centimetres from the handlebars when the brakes are fully applied.
3. Derailleur Movement: On derailleur bikes, try shifting through all your gears and make
sure your derailleur does not throw the chain off the sprockets.
4. Shift Levers: Derailleur levers should move easily only when shifting. A screw or
butterfly nut or similar device lets you adjust the movement of some types of shifter
levers.
5. Tires: If your bike has been sitting unused all winter, your tires will likely be soft or flat.
Inflate to the recommended tire pressure as shown on the tire.
6. Spokes: Check for and replace loose, bent or broken spokes.
7. Wheels: Make sure wheels are centred in the forks and not touching the brake blocks.
Check the rim for side-to-side wobbles and up and down hops by watching the wheel
spin past the brakes or frame. More than half a centimetre of wobble is cause for
concern.
8. Chain: The chain and sprokets on your bike play an important role in the transfer of
power from your legs to your wheels. When they collect dirt and grit, not only does it
slow you down, but they also wear out faster. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated
is one of the best ways to keep your bike working well.
Get your Teams to Totally fill in the single correct answers on these next question, and see
how they do in their STREET Sense regarding bike safety!
1. Is it OK to ride a bicycle while wearing headphones?
A. Never
B. Only on busy roads
C. Only on residential streets
2. Before entering a roadway, you should look:
A. Left
B. Right
C. Left, centre and right
3. Your bicycle helmet should fit:
A. Snugly and cover your forehead
B. Loosely and cover your ears
C. Snugly and cover your ears
4. A low speed fall on a bike path can cause:
A. A brain injury
B. Cuts and bruises
C. All of the above
5. You should wear a helmet:
A. Every time you ride a bike
B. Only on busy roads
C. Only on bicycle paths
6. Before entering a roadway from a parking lot, you should:
A. Slow down
B. Speed up
C. Stop
7. You should observe the following at a four way stop.
A. The bicycle/vehicle that stops first should go first
B. Go first as soon as you arrive
C. Both bicycle/vehicle go at the same time
8. It’s important to check over your shoulder every time you:
A. Are going to change lanes
B. Are going to make a turn
C. All of the above
9. Visibility is important to staying safe on the road. Always make sure you have:
A. Good working lights and reflectors
B. Light-toned clothing
C. All of the above
10. A bell is an important safety feature because:
A. It informs others you are passing
B. It keeps you from getting bored
C. It’s fun to play with
11. If a cyclist dismounts completely and is walking beside and pushing their bicycle:
A. They are considered by law to be a pedestrian
B. They are considered by law to be a vehicle
C. They are breaking the law
12. Stay well behind large vehicles because:
A. They may not like bicycles
B. They may not see you
C. They may want to back up
13. When riding:
A. Ride with your head down
B. Ride with your head up and look well ahead
C. Look mostly in your mirror
14. To make sure that cars see you:
A. Always enter the intersection either ahead of or behind the cars
B. Pull out in front of traffic
C. Always enter the intersection without stopping
15. When riding your bicycle:
A. Only signal on busy roads
B. Obey all traffic laws
C. Ride on the left side of the road
16. Before entering an intersection, you should look:
A. Left
B. Right
C. Left, centre and right
17. Before turning right at an intersection, you should:
A. Look left
B. Look right
C. Shoulder check and look left and right
18. The ABC’s of bicycle maintenance are:
A. Air
B. Brakes, Bars and Bell
C. Chains and Crank
D. All of the above
19. When do most bicycle injuries occur?
A. Evening
B. Afternoon rush hour
C. Morning
D. None of the above
20. How many provinces have helmet laws?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 10
21. Ride in a straight line at least how many metres away from parked vehicles?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 1
D. 5
22. If the right curb lane is about to become a right-turn only lane and you wish to go straight:
A. Keep going
B. Stop
C. Shoulder check, signal and move to the adjacent through lane
23. To cross tracks safely, cross the tracks at a:
A. Right angle
B. Left angle
C. Centre
D. Do not cross
24. When riding your bicycle you should be:
A. Alert
B. Wary
C. Seen
D. All of the above
25. What is a common vehicle-bike collision?
A. Driver opening the car door
B. Driver turning left and right
C. Driver passing
D. All of the above
Talk with EVERYONE ABOUT. Be Alert, Be Wary, Be Seen
Be Alert
Scan ahead, center, left and right.
Be Wary
Be wary of vehicles, pedestrians and other road users.
Be Seen
Use your horn, hand signals and light to be seen by other road users.
Ride with your head up and look well ahead
Never stare at the ground, you need to see what is coming up ahead in order to plan your
route.
One person per bike
Never ride with more passengers than the bike was designed for, otherwise you risk injury to
yourself and others.
Ride in single file
Keep your space to avoid hitting another bicycle.
Ride on the right side of the road (never ride against traffic)
Riding on the wrong side of the road is illegal and you could risk injury to yourself and others.
Riding in a group
When riding with a group, discuss the general route ahead of time. Agree on what you will do
when separated by traffic. Check local municipalities for any bylaws about group riding. In
Toronto, for example, cyclists are required to ride single file, except at red lights, where they
may temporarily pull up side-by-side. Be sure to contact a local cycling group or police station
for more information.
Choose a route
Plan where you want to go ahead of time and if possible avoid riding in peak traffic times or on
busy roads.
Did anyone cover Hazards on the Road?
1. Uneven riding surfaces
Riding on an uneven riding surface can affect balance and is very dangerous. On rough
surfaces, a cyclist can easily lose balance and fall. So, when possible, always ride on
even surfaces.
2. Unknown or sharp objects on the road
Avoid riding across sharp or unknown objects. This helps you avoid a flat tire or losing
balance.
3. Unknown or slippery surfaces
Unknown or slippery surfaces are very hazardous when riding a bicycle. Loss of
traction can cause you to lose control of your bicycle and possibly hit the pavement
and be injured. It’s best to slow down and keep the bicycle as upright as possible.
AND HOW ABOUT THAT ROAD SKILL/OPERATOR SKILL OBSERVATION REVIEW?
Complete
Needs
More
Practice Activity
Use of Equipment
1. Knows how to properly wear a helmet
• Ensures helmet fits snugly
• Ensures helmet is positioned two fingers above the eyebrows to
protect the forehead
• Tightens the chinstrap with enough room to slide one finger
between the strap and the chin
2. Uses bell/horn to warn other cyclists or pedestrians that he/she
is passing
General
3. Rides on the right side of the road
4. Performs hand signals correctly
• Left Turn
• Right Turn
• Stop
5. Scans the road
• Looks at least one block ahead
• Looks for potential hazards on the road
• Looks left, centre, right prior to crossing intersections
Knowledge of Traffic Signs & Signal Lights
6. Comes to a complete stop for a ‘Stop’ sign
7. Comes to a complete stop at a ‘Red’ traffic control signal light
8. Proceeds at a ‘Green’ traffic control signal light
Understanding of Road Rules
9. Understands how to enter the street from a driveway or alley
• Comes to a complete stop
• Looks left, centre and right
• Shoulder checks to ensure there are no other vehicles or
cyclists
• Hand signals
• Looks well ahead. When clear of vehicles and pedestrians and
safe to do so, proceeds to the appropriate lane
10. Understands traveling straight
• Looks well ahead
• Rides in a straight line
• Uses right-hand curb lane
• Rides one meter away from parked cars
11. Understands yield sign
• Slows down
• Scans the intersection left, centre and right
• Yields to other road users approaching the intersection or
already in the intersection
• Continues riding when intersection is clear and safe to do so
12. Understands pedestrian right or way
• Comes to a full stop and yields the right of way to pedestrians
waiting to cross or crossing the street
• Waits until the pedestrian is clear of the crosswalk
• Scans left, centre and right for any other road users
• Proceeds through the intersection when safe to do so
13. Understands four-way stop
• Stops just before the stop line or crosswalk
• If more than one cyclist/vehicle arrives at the intersection, waits
for the cyclist/vehicle that stops first to go first
• If more than one cyclist/vehicle arrives at the intersection at the
same time, waits for the cyclist/vehicle on the right to go first
14. Understands changing lanes and passing
• Shoulder checks for gap in traffic to change lanes
• Hand signals
• Shoulder checks again to ensure safety
• Moves safely into lane
• Uses bell to alert other pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles on the
road of the pass
15. Understands right turn
• Scans left, centre and right
• Hand signals
• Shoulder checks right to ensure it is safe to turn and no vehicles
are present
• Moves safely into next available lane and proceeds straight in
the right hand curb lane
16. Understands pedestrian left turn
• Rides straight through the intersection when safe
• Dismounts bicycle at the corner of the intersection and when
safe, walks bicycle across intersection
17. Understands left turning lane
• Scans left, centre and right
• Shoulder checks left to ensure there is no traffic behind
• Hand signals
• Shoulder checks left again to ensure it is safe to go
• Moves and positions bicycle just to the right of the centre line
and turns left when safe to do so
18. Understands pedestrian crosswalk
• Stops bicycle before entering the crosswalk
• Yields right of way to pedestrian
• Allows pedestrian to cross the street
• Before proceeding, scans left, centre and right to ensure there
are no other pedestrians crossing the crosswalk
• Shoulder checks to ensure it is safe to proceed
• Proceeds
Drivers TOO have a part to play in keeping all road users safe. Here are some common vehicle-
bike collisions to be aware of and tips for drivers and cyclists on how to prevent them.
Turning Right
For Drivers
When turning right, check the curb lane and shoulder check on your right to ensure there are
no cyclists that you may cut off.
For Cyclists
When riding your bike, be on the lookout for vehicles than may turn wide at intersections.
Turning Left
For Drivers
Look ahead for any oncoming vehicle or cyclists. Check the crosswalk for pedestrians.
For Cyclists
When riding your bike, be on the lookout for vehicles that may be about to turn left.
Passing
For Drivers
Cyclists need a meter on either side of them as a safety zone. Do not pass too close. Always
change lanes to pass.
For Cyclists
When being passed by a vehicle always watch that they don’t come into your lane too early
and be prepared to slow down or stop.
Opening Your Door
For Drivers
When opening your door, be on the lookout for cyclists and pedestrians. Always mirror and
shoulder check prior to opening your door.
For Cyclists
When riding on streets, be on the lookout for people sitting in parked vehicles that may open
the door as you are riding by.