Safe Bicycling Tips for National Bike Month

Bike Safety Tips You and Your Family Should Know

We all know the obvious safety tips, such as always wearing a properly fitting helmet and watching where you are going. Here are a few tips you might not have considered the last time you hopped on your bike:

The League of American Bicyclists wants you to practice your ABCs every time you ride. Check the Air in your tires, test your Brakes, and keep your Cranks and chain in good working order.

Wear a bright or reflective waterproof jacket and pants when riding in the rain. Bright colors and reflective gear will make you more visible to motorists.

You should make yourself easy to see if you ride at night. Wear reflective gear and bright colors. Per Georgia law, you must have a compliant white headlight and a red taillight on your bicycle. You might also consider adding blinkers and reflectors.

Never ride distracted or intoxicated.

Learn defensive cycling. Not every driver will respect your right to the road; you must always be aware of drivers and anticipate their next move.

How Drivers Can Help Keep Bicyclists Safe

When a motor vehicle collides with a bicycle, the rider’s injuries can be catastrophic or even fatal. Drivers can keep riders safe by always allowing plenty of room when you go around a bike, for three reasons:

To avoid striking the bike;

To keep from causing the rider to panic from thinking you are going to hit him, and;

To prevent wind draft from knocking the bike off its path.

When you park on the street, check for approaching bicycles before you open your door, to avoid “dooring” a passing bike rider. Be especially vigilant for bike riders in areas with bike lanes.

National Bike to Work Week is May 14 through 18

The spotlight day of National Bike Month is National Bike to Work Day. On May 18, the League of American Bicyclists from coast to coast will celebrate the end of National Bike to Work Week. Some Bike Month events include:

Bike rodeos that teach kids safety tips, bike handling skills, and how to safely share the road with motor vehicles; and
Open streets events, in which communities temporarily close some streets to car traffic so people who are walking, skating, and riding bikes can do so in a fun and, most importantly, safe environment.

How to Set up an Event in Your Community

Contact the League if you want resources to help plan an event in your area. They will provide a guide that contains:

Ideas to get you started,
A step-by-step organizational schedule,
Model templates for sponsorship letters and other materials, and
Statistics and additional information you can use to capture the interest of event partners and participants

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Safe Bicycling Tips to Know for National Bike Month