Chapter 1: Guide to safe On- and off-road operation
The most important thing to do on every ride is to ride safely. This page provides additional tips and habits you should practise on every ride:
Wear a helmet and safety equipment
Ride in an appropriate area
Use the features of your bicycle carefully
Know and observe local bicycle riding laws
Ride defensively
Avoid unsafe or harmful conditions
Do not ride in an abusive manner
An unprotected head is highly susceptible to injury, even from the slightest contact, but wearing a helmet that meets CPSC or CE standards (Figure 1) may help prevent injury. Helmets should be removed when not riding the bicycle. If the helmet is caught or stuck on or between objects, the wearer could choke.
Appropriate cycling clothes and eye protection are also recommended. Wear shoes that work with your pedals and protect your feet. Wear light, bright, or reflective clothing, especially at night, to make yourself more visible.
Figure 1:
Bicycle helmet
Avoid riding in a Use Condition that is beyond the design of your bicycle or beyond your skill level. Also try to avoid high-traffic or congested areas where you are smaller than other vehicles and might be hard to see.
Never ride a road bicycle on unpaved roads, trails, or off-road. The thin tires of a road bike can sink into soft surfaces, making the bike less stable, which can cause you to lose control. In addition, the small area of contact with soft or loose ground might not provide adequate grip when you apply the brakes.
Modern bicycles have improved features, such as suspension or powerful brakes, that might make a bicycle ride differently when compared to an older model, even a bicycle from just last year. Learn how to use these features before riding faster or in more difficult conditions.
Always keep a safe stopping distance between you and other vehicles or objects. Adjust stopping distances and braking forces to suit the riding conditions.
With most bicycles the left brake lever controls the front-wheel brake and the right brake lever controls the rear-wheel brake. However, the brake levers can be switched for some countries or for a person with special needs.
If your bicycle has two hand brakes, apply both brakes at the same time. Over-use or misuse of a front-wheel brake, such as using only the front-wheel brake in an emergency, could cause the rear wheel to lift from the ground which could cause you to lose control (Figure 2).
Warning—Applying sudden or excessive stopping force with the front-wheel brake may cause the rear wheel to lift off the ground or the front wheel to slip out from under you, which can cause you to lose control and fall. To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time and shift your weight backward on the bicycle.
Figure 2:
Do not over-use the front-wheel brake
Most state and local areas have specific laws for cyclists, and you should follow them. Local cycling clubs or your state’s Department of Transportation (or equivalent) should be able to supply this information to you. A few of the more important rules of riding include the following:
· Use proper hand signals
· Ride single file when riding with other cyclists
· Ride on the correct side of the road; never ride against traffic
To motorists, pedestrians, or other bicyclists, you are not as visible as a car. Always watch for hazardous situations, and be ready to stop or take evasive action at all times. Ride defensively; expect the unexpected.
Watch for and avoid potholes, drain grates, soft or low shoulders, and other deviations which could cause your wheels to slip or create an impact to your frame, fork, or wheels. The Riding Tips section lists some other obstacles. If you are not sure of the condition of the riding surface, walk your bicycle.
Riding over an irregular surface can cause your front wheel to turn unexpectedly or slide sideways. When crossing railroad tracks or drain grates, do so carefully at a 90° angle (Figure 3).
Figure 3:
Cross railroad tracks at a 90 degree angle
If your tires contact debris such as sticks, rocks, trash, or any other loose object, the debris can flip up. If the debris gets into your wheels, it could cause you to lose control or crash. It could also get caught in your spokes or chain, possibly causing damage to your bicycle.
As an example, if you run over a stick with your front wheel, the stick could flip into your spokes. If the stick gets caught in the spokes, it could "lock up" your front wheel, immediately stopping the wheel's rotation. In such a sudden stop, at even a slow speed, a crash is almost a certainty. There can even be enough force to bend or break the fork.
If a pedestrian steps in front of you, if a car suddenly enters your lane, or if someone unexpectedly opens the door of a parked car, you could be involved in a serious accident. A jogger, roller-skater, or a person with a pet on a leash are other hazards that can move unpredictably. Mount a horn or bell on your bicycle and use it to alert others of your approach.
Your bicycle is equipped with a full set of reflectors. Keep them clean and in position. As useful as these reflectors are, they do not help you see, nor do they help you be seen unless light is directed on them. Use a working headlight and tail light when you ride in poorly lighted or low visibility conditions. Also wear light, bright, and reflective clothing, especially at night, to make yourself more visible.
In defensive riding, the important thing is to see and be seen. If you do any amount of riding at dusk, at night, or in any conditions with poor visibility, consult your Trek dealer to find appropriate products to aid your vision and make you more visible.
Warning—A bicycle rider without proper lighting and safety precautions may not have good vision and may not be visible to others, which can cause a collision resulting in severe injury. Use front and rear bicycle lights and additional safety procedures when riding in poor visibility conditions.
Bicycles are not designed to be used in all conditions.
No brakes, whatever their design, work as effectively in wet weather as they do in dry. Even properly aligned, lubricated, and maintained brakes require greater lever pressure and longer stopping distances in wet weather; anticipate the extra distance it will take to stop.
Wet weather causes reduced visibility for both you and motorists. It also reduces traction. Use slower cornering when traction is reduced, such as when riding over wet leaves, painted crosswalks, or manhole covers.
The metal bearings in your bicycle allow the parts to rotate smoothly. Water in contact with metal causes corrosion, which will make the bearings lose their smoothness. If any bearings on your bicycle get submerged in water, take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for service.
Avoid high-pressure washing systems, like those at most car washes. The high pressure may force water into the bearings.
With some bicycles, the handlebar may contact the frame as the front wheel turns to extreme angles. Prevent damage from handlebar impact by padding the handlebar parts, the frame, or both at the points of contact. See your Trek dealer for recommended protection devices or materials.
Bicycles are wonderfully versatile, so one will allow you to ride almost wherever you choose. However, your safety depends on choosing to ride safely. In addition to reading the following information, also read about bicycles, accidents, and safety.