Lesson One: Bike Safety
Biking Safety – Helmets
There are many good reasons to ride a bicycle. It is wonderful exercise. It is faster than walking. It is fun!Safety rules exist to make sure riding remains the fun and enjoyable exercise it should be.
Safe cycling starts with always wearing a helmet. California state law requires everyone age 18 and younger to wear a helmet when riding a bike on public roads, sidewalks or bike paths. Safety experts go even further. They recommend that everybody wear a helmet, regardless of age. That's even true for world-class cyclists like the ones in the Amgen Tour of California. Get in the habit of always buckling your chinstrap before you step on a bike pedal. That applies to teachers, parents, and students alike!
Every year, more than 700 people are killed in bicycle accidents. Most of these deaths are caused by head injuries. Wearing a helmet is required by law for your own protection.
CHOOSING A HELMET
Look for the seal of approval. You should only wear a certified bicycle helmet. Look for the initials CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission).WEARING A HELMET
Choose a good fit. You should not be able to move your helmet more than an inch when you push on it from the front. Fit it to your head by using the sponge pads that come with your helmet.Settle it evenly on your head. The helmet should not be pushed too far back on your head or too low over your eyes. The front edge should be two finger-widths — just an inch or so — above your eyebrows, so your line of sight is totally clear.
Adjust the straps properly. The front and back straps should meet in a V shape just below your ear. The straps should be adjusted so they lie flat along your head, without any slack. Your chinstrap should be snug under your chin. All of the straps should be equally tight when the chinstrap is buckled.
