Cycling Safety Equipment
It is important to ensure that the bike is an appropriate size for you when riding it. Generally you should be able to stand flat footed over the bike's frame.
Frame Size:
To ensure your seat is at the correct height, sit on the seat with the balls of your feet on the pedals. At the bottom of the pedal rotation your legs should be nearly straight with your knees slightly bent.
Seat/ Handlebars: In a normal riding position your weight should be evenly balanced allowing your hands to rest lightly on the handlebars. If you are not sufficiently balanced then adjust the tilt of your seat and/or height of the handlebars until a good balance is achieved.
Helmet:
To provide maximum protection, the helmet should fit snugly and square on your head. It should not be able to move or be tilted either forward or backwards on your head. According to Ontario law, any cyclist under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet.
Riding with Children:
Use care and caution when cycling with young children who are too young to ride themselves. Keep in mind that a bicycle child seat mounted behind the bicycle seat alters your centre of gravity while riding and may increase the risk of losing balance.
An alternative way to carry children is to use a child bicycle trailer towed behind your bicycle. Bike trailers are stable and not prone to tipping. Most trailers are attached either directly to the bike frame or the seat post by means of a u-joint. Children are also required to wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding in a child carrier or a bicycle trailer.
Be Seen and Heard:
Because bicycles are one of the smallest vehicles on the road, it is important for cyclists to be as visible as possible to other road users at all times. Lighting: By law bicycles must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector when you ride between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise. The law also requires white reflective strips on the front forks and red reflective strips on the rear stays.
Clothing: Clothing can improve or reduce visibility. Yellow and white tend to stand out best at night, while dark colours are difficult to see.
Dawn and dusk: When riding into or away from the sun at these times, leave extra room and be ready for sudden stops or swerves by traffic around you. Be particularly alert at intersections.
Be heard: Bicycles are very quiet so it is important to warn others of your presence upon approach. By law, all bikes must have a working bell or horn to do so.
From: Province of Ontario. Cycling Skills: Ontario's Guide to Safe Cycling. www.mto.gov.on.ca
