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Chapter 1: Guide to safe on- and off-road operation
WARNING: Wet or inclement weather can
make a bicycle difficult to control. Decrease
your speed and use extra caution, or use
other types of transportation.
Be seen (especially at night)
Your bicycle has a full set of reflectors. Inspect
them before every ride.
However, reflectors do not make you easy to
see unless light is pointed at them. Reflectors
do not help your vision, but good bicycle lights
can. If you ride at dusk, at night, or in low-
visibility conditions, consult your retailer to find
equipment or materials that help your vision
and that meet local requirements.
WARNING: When you ride in low-visibility
conditions such as fog, dusk, or night, you
might be difficult to see, which could lead to
an accident. Use a front light and rear light
when you ride in conditions with low light or
low visibility.
Think safety
• Check your bicycle before every ride.
• Do not ride ‘no hands.’
• Do not ride with a loose object or pet (or its
leash) attached to the handlebar or other
part of your bicycle.
• Do not ride while intoxicated or while you use
medications which can make you drowsy.
• Do not ride distracted. Using a mobile phone,
music player, or similar device while riding
can distract you and may cause a dangerous
situation, or decrease your control and cause
you to fall. Observe rules or laws where you
ride that prohibit or restrict the use of mobile
phones.
• Do not ‘ride double.’ Most bicycles are
designed for only one rider.
• Do not ride above your skill level.
• Do not ride abusively. Ride in the Use
Conditions specified for your bicycle type.
• Ride carefully when off-road. Ride only on the
trails. Do not ride over rocks, branches, or
depressions. When you approach a descent,
decrease your speed, move your weight low
and to the rear, and use the rear brake more
than the front.
• Let someone know where you are going and
when you plan to return.
• Avoid riding in large groups. Riding close to
other riders can make it difficult for you to
see road hazards, and you will have very
little time to react to those that you do see.
When another rider is close, a sudden change
in direction or speed can cause you to lose
control of your bicycle. Also, large groups of
cyclists can cause problems for other users of
the roadway.
• Do not ride too fast. Higher speed creates
higher risk. Your wheels might slide or a small
bump could cause an impact to your frame or
fork. Higher speed results in higher forces if a
crash occurs. Control your bicycle at all times.
For children, the limit of speed is much lower.
This is especially true of bicycles equipped
with training wheels.
WARNING: Training wheels prevent the
regular lean of a bicycle when the rider makes
a turn. If the child turns too quickly, the
bicycle can fall. With training wheels, do not
permit a child to ride fast
or turn suddenly.
WARNING: You add to your risk of injury
when you use your bicycle in an incorrect
manner:
• Jump your bicycle
• Ride over sticks, debris, or other
obstacles
• Do bicycle stunts
• Ride in severe off-road terrain
• Ride fast, in competition, or
“downhill”
• Ride in an unusual manner
These are examples of misuse that add to
the stress on each part of your bicycle. High
stress can cause the frame or a part to break,
and increases your risk of injury. To decrease
your risk of injury, use your bicycle correctly.
