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Bicycle Safety

Always Wear A Helmet!

Bike helmets save lives. Crashes and falls happen and when they do, a properly fitted helmet can protect you from a serious or even deadly head injury. That means parents too!

Children wearing helmets with bicycles

Remember:

Cyclists who ride without helmets are 8 times more likely to have brain injuries when in a crash, compared to cyclists who wear helmets.

  • Always wear a certified helmet
  • Make sure it fits properly
  • Replace a damaged helmet
  • Put your name, address and emergency phone number inside your helmet



How to 'Fit' Your Bike Helmet

  • There should be two fingers between your helmet and your eyebrows
  • Straps should form a V shape around your ears
  • Only one finger should fit between your chin and the strap

For more information download the 2VI Helmet Fitting Guide

Helmet fitting instructions showing proper positioning



Child helping adjust another child's helmet

Rules of The Road

  • Wear a helmet every time you ride.
  • Wear bright clothing so drivers can see you better
  • You need enough space to avoid hazards.
  • Ride one metre from the curb or from parked cars.
  • Ride in a straight line on the right hand side of the road, in the same direction as traffic. Do not weave in between parked cars.
  • Ride beside parked cars as if all the car doors were open. As long as you are riding in a straight line, motorists coming from behind will see you and give you enough space.

Always Stop:

  • At stop signs and red lights.
  • At the edge of the road. Look all ways to see if the road is clear before entering a road.
  • For stopped school buses when their red lights are flashing.
  • For pedestrian at crosswalks.
  • Two metres behind bus and streetcar doors and wait until the passengers have boarded or reached the curb.

For more information download the Ontario Guide to Safe Cycling.




Bike Maintenance

The A-B-C Quick Check: Do it before you ride.

A is for Air - Check your tire pressure before each ride. Check that your wheels are true. Check that the valves on your tires are sitting straight. Check that the sidewalls on your tires are not worn.

B is for Brakes and Bars - Check that your brake pads hit the wheel rim squarely, without touching the rubber. Check for two finger's distance between the brake lever and your handgrip when squeezed. Check your brake cables for wear and kinks. Check to see if your handlebars are loose.

C is for Chain - Check that your chain is on properly. Check that it is properly lubricated. Check for damage, and be sure your pedals spin freely backwards.

Quick is for Quick Release - Check that your quick release tires are on securely. Quick release handles should be pointed toward the rear of the bike.

Finally, perform an overall check of your bike by lifting it several inches off the ground and dropping it. Listen for loose parts, and tighten as necessary. Keep a spare tube, mini pump/CO2, and multi-tool with you when you ride.



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7911 Forest Glade Drive
Windsor, Ontario
N8T 3R7


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