Featured Activity: Biking

Riding: Be responsible

• Stop for stop signs and stop lights. Obey all other traffic signs.
• Don't do anything that would surprise the driver of a car (swerving, turning suddenly, etc.)
• Use proper hand signals for turning and stopping:

• To show you’re making a left turn, hold your left arm straight out beside you.
• To show you’re making a right turn, hold your left arm out beside you, bent at a right angle at the elbow, with your hand at about head height.
• To show you’re going to stop, hold your left arm out beside you, bent at a right angle at the elbow, with your hand at about hip level.

• If you’re changing lanes, look behind you first to make sure it's clear.
• Always ride on the right side of the road.
• Stop whenever you come to a driveway. A car could be pulling in from the street, or backing out from the driveway.
• Always be aware of parked cars. The driver may suddenly open the door in your path. Leave at least three feet between you and the side of a parked car. 
• If you ride at night, you MUST have a white front light and a red rear reflector.
• Watch out for walkers. When riding on a path, trail, or sidewalk, keep your speed down, and call out that you’re passing.
  

Helmets and clothing: be safe and seen

• Always wear a helmet when you go out on your bike.
• Your helmet should fit snugly under the chin and low over the forehead, about two finger widths above the eyebrow.
• If the fit isn’t quite right, you can get sizing pads to customize the fit at any bike or toy store.
• Be sure to fasten the chinstrap.
• Try to get a brightly colored helmet.
• Wear light-colored clothes when you ride.
• Don’t wear headphones – you need to be able to hear everything going on around you.
• Make sure you don’t have any loose clothing or backpack straps hanging that could get caught in your bike and make you lose control.
• Wear proper shoes – no flip-flops, cleats, etc.

Bikes: Make it right

• Ride the right-sized bike for you. You should be able to place both feet flat on ground when straddling the bike.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated, and your brakes are working right.
  

Save tricks for a magic show

• Never hitch a ride on a moving vehicle or do stunts (wheelies, etc.) on a road with cars or trucks.