| Children, bicycles and summertime: make it safe! |
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| ODOT News |
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June 18, 2009
For more information, contact Shelley Snow (503) 986-3438 or Sue Riehl (503) 986-4197
The sun is shining all around the state, the final school bells have rung, and children are out in force, many on bikes. Bicycling is a fun, healthy way to visit friends, run errands or just be independent. But it’s important to remember that a bicycle is not a toy, it’s a vehicle. The Oregon Department of Transportation encourages parents, children, caregivers and all bicyclists to review and practice safe riding for a safe summer.
- Wear a helmet! Bicycle helmets are required by law in Oregon for children under 16 years old, not only while bicycling, but also while skateboarding, riding a scooter or in-line skating. Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by an astounding 85 percent. The fine for not wearing a helmet is $77.
- Adjust your bicycle to fit YOU. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 – 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 – 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.
- Check your equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work.
- Ride on the right with traffic and in a predictable manner. Obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Watch for and avoid road hazards. Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs. If you are riding with friends and you are in the lead, yell out and point to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.
- Yield to traffic when appropriate. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and you are coming from a smaller roadway (out of a driveway, from a sidewalk, a bike path, etc.), you must slow down and look to see if the way is clear before proceeding. This also means yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk. In any case, be prepared to avoid collisions!
- Look before turning. When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal, then make the turn. Watch for left- or right-turning traffic.
- Watch out for parked cars. Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (like doors opening, or cars pulling out).
Although the safest place for bicycle riding in general is on the street, where bicyclists are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorists, some young children may be better off riding on the sidewalk. If so, parents should review the rules of the road and make sure children understand how to operate bicycles in a safe manner. Bicyclists on sidewalks:
- Should give right of way and audible warning to pedestrians;
- Should travel no faster than an ordinary walk when approaching a crosswalk, driveway or other intersection; and
- Should not operate bicycles in a careless manner that endangers themselves or others.
In summary, practice the four principles of bicycling safety every time, every ride:
- Maintain control of your bicycle. Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars and use a backpack or basket to carry books or other items.
- Obey traffic laws. Ride on the right with traffic, in a predictable manner, and use hand signals.
- Be visible and ride alertly. Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors, even in the daytime.
- Protect yourself by wearing a helmet.
Some communities sponsor bicycle “rodeos” to teach children the rules of the road; check your local public safety agency to see if there’s one in your area. For more information about bicycle safety, visit ODOT’s Transportation Safety Web site, http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/bicyclistsafety.shtml
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