Learn how to cycle safely.
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Did you know?
- The human skull is made of only 3-5 mm of bone, about the width of a pencil, or 3 pennies stacked on top of one another
- Researchers estimate that for every 10 cyclists killed, 7 or 8 would have escaped serious injury if they were wearing a helmet
- It’s the Law! Everyone under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet while cycling. The fine for not wearing a bike helmet is $80
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When Cycling Remember…
Always wear your helmet correctly:
- Your helmet should sit level on your head – it should cover the head down to 2 fingers above the eyebrows.
- The straps should meet in a “V” just below your ears
- There should only be enough room to fit one finger between your chin and the chin strap.
Always follow the rules of the road:
- Use proper hand signals at all times (turn the page over to review cycling hand signals).
- Obey all traffic signs.
Parents…Be Good Role Models!
- Studies show that if parents wear their bike helmets, their children are more likely to wear bike helmets.
- If parents do not own or wear a bike helmet, their children are much less likely to wear a bike helmet themselves.
- ALWAYS WEAR AN APPROVED BICYCLE HELMET.
- USE THE LIGHT, REFLECTOR /REFLECTIVE TAPE REQUIRED BY LAW. WEAR LIGHT OR BRIGHT COLOURS.
- LEARN AND OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS.
- DRIVE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD.
- RIDE SINGLE FILE.
- LEARN AND USE HAND SIGNALS.
- STOP BEFORE LEAVING YOUR DIVEWAY OR LANE.
- WALK AT BUSY CORNERS.
- BE ALERT TO PASSING VEHICLES.
- NEVER "DOUBLE" RIDE.
- NEVER "HITCH" ON TO ANOTHER VEHICLE.
- DON'T "TRICK RIDE".
- KEEP YOUR BIKE IN GOOD REPAIR.
- USE A CARRIER.
- LOCK YOUR BIKE.
From the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital – Emergency Department
Reliable Links:
Canada Safety Council http://www.safety-council.org/info/child/bicycle.htm
Canadian Biking Association (2007).http://www.canadian-cycling.com/cca/education/canbike_quicktips.shtml
Ontario Ministry of Transportation (2003). Cycling skills.http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/cycling/youngcyclist.htm
Safe Kids Canada (2006). Bike carriers and trailers. http://www.sickkids.ca/SKCForParents/section.asp?s=Safety+Information+by+Topic&sID=10774&ss=&ssID=&sss=Bike+Carriers+and+Trailers&sssID=14487
