Whether you are just going for a spin around the block on your bicycle or going for a long jaunt, safety should be your first consideration. Here are some thought on the subject. Some of this is stuff we’ve covered in this column before, but sometimes repeating things is a good way to learn..
We learned our ABC’s early on, now we can use them to do a safety check.
A stands for air. Look for the recommended tire pressure on the sidewall of the tire, and then pump up the tire to that level. Under-inflated tires can lead to pinch flats, and no one likes to have to repair a flat tire out on the road during a ride.
B stands for brakes; check the stopping power of your brakes.
C stands for cranks, cassette and chain; make sure the cranks are tight, the cassette is clean and the chain has been oiled.
Before swinging your leg over the saddle, there are a couple more things to do. Check the quick release levers on your front and back wheels to make sure they’re tight to keep the wheels in place. Put on your helmet, making sure the front of the helmet is just above your eyebrows and the straps make a snug "Y" underneath each ear. Sunglasses and gloves are also recommended, but not absolutely necessary.
Remember as a bicyclist, you have all the rights and responsibilities of a motorist, such as riding with the traffic not against it, observing traffic laws, signaling turns, slowing and stopping.
To be safe on the road, bicyclists should know their rightful place. All bicyclists should ride with the flow of traffic, not against it. Both the cyclist and driver have less time to react when cyclists go against the flow. Also, motorists don’t expect to see cyclists riding toward them and so are not on the lookout for them, particularly when motorists are making turns at intersections.
Illinois law states that bicyclists should ride as far to the right as is practicable, which doesn’t mean as far as possible to the right. The law allows a bicyclist to ride away from the roadway edge and further into the lane to avoid broken glass, broken pavement, pot holes, gravel and other debris that can cause the rider to crash. Also, when a lane is too narrow for a car to pass safely, a bicyclist under the law may ride further into the lane to prevent a motorist from trying to squeeze by and endanger the rider.
A recent Illinois law requires motorists to pass bicyclists with a minimum of three feet of space. If motorists can’t pass with at least three feet, they should wait until they can safely do so.
Most crashes involving bicyclists and motorists occur at intersections. Being more visible, particularly at intersections, makes bicyclists safer. That’s why bicyclist should consider wearing bright clothing so that motorists are more likely to see them.
Although some motorists believe that bicyclists should ride on sidewalks, many communities prohibit bicyclists from riding there. Except for small children and beginners, bicyclists are usually safer riding in the street than on the sidewalk. Again, visibility is the issue. A bicyclist on the road is more visible to motorists than bicyclists riding on the sidewalk. Often motorists approaching intersections look for other cars and not particularly for bicyclists or pedestrians on the sidewalk.