ALL ABOUT HELMET

2009-02-27T02:30:00.000-08:00

Question: Is a Skateboard helmet ok for bicycle riding?
Answer: Maybe. If it is certified to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard it is probably fine. Most of the skateboard helmets do have good coverage in the rear. And most of them are very round and smooth, an ideal shape to make sure the helmet will not snag on anything during your crash.

The typical skate helmet has fewer vents than bike helmets do, so they may be hotter in summer. And the liners in skate helmets tend to be on the thin side, so they usually do not provide extra protection beyond what is necessary to meet the impact standard.

The real problem for bicycle use is that there are other skate-style helmets not labeled for bicycling, and there is no legal requirement for those to meet any standard at all. Some may meet the much less severe ASTM standard for skateboard use. The difference is a drop height in the lab test of one meter for skateboard and two meters for bicycle. The skateboard standard tests with more than one impact in the same spot, unlike the bike standard. Some of them meet only a European whitewater standard, which seems a long way from skateboarding but lets them put a label in the helmet saying it meets something, and consumers don't know the difference. The ones we have seen used only the number for the standard, so you have no idea what it represents unless you have some numbers memorized.

Beginning in 2002 when we checked local discount retailers we found that all of their "skate" helmets were in fact bike helmets in the skate shape, certified to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard. Few were also certified to the ASTM F1492 skateboard standard. For better or worse, the manufacturers are testing the thesis that a helmet designed for a single impact can work for multi-impact skateboarding.

In late 2003, several manufacturers introduced helmets that they actually certified to both the CPSC bicycle helmet standard and the ASTM F-1492 skateboard standard. In this case, the helmet meets the performance requirements for either sport. That's ideal. We have a list of the ones we have found.

In short, check the stickers inside the helmet. If it does not have one saying it meets the CPSC bicycle helmet standard, it is not designed for the type of impacts you will encounter in bicycle riding. If it does not have one saying it meets the ASTM F-1492 standard, there is no guarantee that it can take the multiple impacts from skateboarding or radical skating on halfpipes and other places where falls are frequent.

And note that there is no US law that says a helmet being sold for skateboarding or roller skating has to meet any standard whatsoever. The manufacturers are mostly afraid of lawsuits if they don't meet a skateboard standard, but in fact they can sell anything at all as a skate helmet as long as they don't claim it is for bicycling. So look for the ASTM F1492 sticker inside the helmet if it is a "skate" helmet in addition to any CPSC sticker it may have.

You can also check our page on manufacturers with dual-certified skate helmets advertised as meeting the CPSC standard. And see our page on helmets for the current season for more.

Note that inline skating helmets (as opposed to skateboard or trick skating) are bicycle helmets. For example the ASTM standard is for helmets for bicycling or inline skating. You do not need a separate helmet for inline skating. It should have a CPSC bicycle helmet standard sticker inside. The comments above apply to skateboarding, or to trick skating where falls are constant.
Question: Is a skate-style helmet ok for skateboarding?
Answer: Maybe! If it is certified to the ASTM skateboarding helmet standard F-1492 or the Snell N-94 Multi Purpose standard it is designed for the multiple impacts typical of skateboarding. If not, even if it passes the CPSC standard it may be a one-impact helmet that you would have to replace every time you crash. We recommend that you pay attention to the standards labels, and choose a helmet for skateboarding that has ASTM F-1492 or Snell N-94 stickers inside. Again, see our page of helmets that are certified for both sports because they meet both standards

Skateboarding Safety

2009-02-27T02:16:00.000-08:00

Skateboarding is an increasingly popular recreational activity among teenagers-especially young males. Practice skateboarding safely and use protective equipment. It is a fun and healthy sport that can give you a low-impact aerobic workout.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons encourages physical activity as part of an overall health and fitness plan. You can have fun, but it is always important to be safe!
Incidence of Injury
To improve skateboarding safety, a growing number of communities provide supervised skateboard parks. These may have professionally designed "bowls" and "ramps" or other designated skateboarding areas that are located away from motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Skateboarding is an activity in which you move quickly over hard surfaces. It can lead to injuries that range from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic brain injury. Each year in the United States, skateboarding injuries cause about 50,000 visits to emergency departments and 1500 children and adolescents to be hospitalized. (Source: AAP, March 2002. )
Most hospitalizations involve head injury. Even injuries that heal quickly can cause pain and anxiety, cost time, and money and may lead to disabilities. This can include loss of vision, hearing and speech; inability to walk, bathe, toilet, dress or feed yourself; and changes in thinking and behavior.
Skateboarding is not recommended for young children. That's because they are still growing and do not yet have the physical skills and thinking ability a person needs to control a skateboard and ride it safely.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
•Children under age 5 years old should never ride a skateboard.
•Children aged 6 to 10 years old need close supervision from an adult or trustworthy adolescent whenever they ride a skateboard.
When young children are involved in skateboarding accidents, they are often injured severely. Skateboarding is a special risk for young children because they have:
•A higher center of gravity, less development and poor balance. These factors make children more likely to fall and hurt their heads.
•Slower reactions and less coordination than adults. Children are less able to break their falls.
•Less skill and ability than they think. Children overestimate their skills and abilities and are inexperienced in judging speed, traffic and other risks.
Serious skateboarding injuries happen when you lose control and fall or run into a motor vehicle, road hazard, pedestrian, another skateboarder or bicyclist. You are at risk for injuries:
•If you don't use protective equipment.
•If you don't keep your skateboard in good condition.
•If you skateboard on irregular surfaces.
•If you attempt "tricks" beyond your skill level.
Sixty percent of skateboard injuries involve children under age 15; most of those injured are boys. At highest risk are:
•Inexperienced skateboarders. Those who have been skating for less than one week suffer one-third of injuries, usually caused by falls.
•Skateboarders who do not wear protective equipment. Every skateboarder should wear standard safety gear. This includes a helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads and appropriate shoes. Skateboarders who perform tricks should use heavy duty gear.
•Skateboarders who go near traffic or use homemade skateboard ramps. Both activities are particularly dangerous.
•Experienced skateboarders who encounter unexpected surfaces or try risky stunts. Irregular riding surfaces, rocks or other debris can cause you to fall. You can stumble over twigs or fall down slopes. Wet pavements and rough or uneven surfaces can cause a wipeout. Avoid risky behavior. Don't skateboard too fast or in dangerous or crowded locations.
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Types of Injury
Skateboarding injuries often involve the wrist, ankle or face. Many injuries happen when you lose your balance, fall off the skateboard and land on an outstretched arm.
•Injuries to the arms, legs, neck and trunk range from bruises and abrasions to sprains and strains, fractures and dislocations. Wrist fractures are quite common. Wearing wrist guards can reduce their frequency and severity.
•Facial injuries include breaking your nose and jawbone
•Severe injuries include concussion, closed head injury and blunt head trauma.
•You can suffer permanent impairment or even death if you fall off the skateboard and strike your head without a helmet. Most brain injuries happen when your head hits pavement. You are most at risk if you skateboard near traffic and collide with motor vehicles, bikes, pedestrians or other obstacles.
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Prevention
You can prevent most skateboarding injuries if you follow all of these recommendations:
Use a quality skateboard
Skateboards have three parts-the deck (the board itself), the trucks (the mechanism to which wheels are attached) and the wheels. Shorter decks are best for beginners because they are easier to balance and handle. Skateboards have various characteristics for all types of riding including slalom, freestyle and speed. Some are rated for the user's weight.
Keep your skateboard in proper working order
You should inspect it before every ride. Look for problems that need repair. These can include loose, broken or cracked parts; sharp edges on metal boards; a slippery top surface; wheels with nicks and cracks, etc. Get professional help to repair serious defects.
Learn the basic skills of skateboarding, especially how to stop properly.
Also learn slowing and turning techniques, and how to fall safely: If you are losing your balance, crouch down on the skateboard so you won't have as far to fall. Try to land on the fleshy parts of your body rather than your arms. Relax and roll.
Wear proper protective equipment
Before getting on your skateboard, empty your pockets of all hard and sharp objects and put on your protective gear. Essential protective equipment includes:
•A properly fitting helmet
•Wrist guards
•Knee and elbow pads
•Shoes
Helmet
To protect your head from injury, always wear a properly fitting helmet. This is true no matter what your age, level of experience or location where you are skateboarding. Get a quality bicycle or multi-sport helmet. It should meet or exceed safety standards of the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or Snell Memorial Foundation. You may need to try on several sizes and models to find a helmet that fits your head correctly and securely. A properly fitting helmet:
•Is worn flat on your head with the bottom edge parallel to the ground
•Sits low on your forehead
•Has side straps that form a "V" shape around each ear
•Has a buckle that fastens tightly (there should be room to put only two fingers between the strap and your chin)
•Has pads inside that you install or remove so the helmet fits snuggly
•Does not move in any direction when you shake your head
•Does not interfere with your movement, vision or hearing
Replace your helmet when it is damaged, outgrown or at least every five years. You may need to replace it sooner if the manufacturer recommends it.
Note: Effective January 1, 2003, California has expanded its bicycle helmet law to require that children under age 18 wear helmets each time they use a skateboard, inline skates, roller skates or scooter, making the state's child helmet law the strictest in the nation. Violators face fines of $25, most of which benefits local health departments promoting helmet safety education and subsidizing helmet purchases for low-income families.
Wrist guards, knee and elbow pads and other gear
Wrist guards help support the wrist and reduce the chances of breaking a bone if you fall. Knee and elbow pads reduce the severity of cuts and scrapes, and prevent gravel burns. You should also wear closed, slip-resistant shoes, and consider goggles to keep debris out of your eyes.
Skateboard only on smooth pavement away from traffic, preferably in a supervised skate park.
•Never hold onto the side or rear of a moving vehicle while riding a skateboard ("skitching"). You could fall or be thrown into oncoming traffic if the vehicle suddenly slows, stops or turns.
•Never use your skateboard in wet weather.
•Avoid skateboarding in crowded walkways or in darkness.
•Always screen the area before you skateboard, inspecting surfaces for rocks and other debris.
Be careful with tricks and jumps.
Skateboarding skill is not acquired quickly or easily. Don't take chances by skateboarding faster than your experience allows, or faster than is safe for conditions or the speed of other skateboarders. If you try tricks and jumps, practice them only in a controlled environment, such as a skate park that has adult supervision and appropriate access to emergency medical care.
Stay in shape.
Prevent skateboarding injuries by keeping in top physical condition. Stretch and do conditioning exercises before and after skateboarding.
Do not use headphones while skateboarding.
Never put more than one person on a skateboard.
Be considerate of fellow skateboarders, especially those who are younger and / or less skilled.
Know what to do in an emergency.
Skateboarding accidents happen, so you should always know what to do in emergency situations. Don't panic. Call medical assistance or an ambulance.

The Manufacturing Process Of Shoei® Helmet

2009-01-19T04:59:00.000-08:00

Forming Process
At SHOEI, all outer shells are made of FRP. During the manufacturing process, a mold is first lined with reinforcing fibers, including fiberglass, and then filled with the plastics. The shell is formed inside a mold by a rubber balloon which presses materials from inside. Every outer shell is hand-made by one of SHOEI's craftsmen. Against the background of SHOEI's production expertise, state-of-the-art technologies are also used for producing newer, more complex shell forms.

Finishing Process
This process not only involves removing superfluous parts of the outer shell like the visor opening and the lower shell edge, but also creating the ventilation system and the mounting holes for the shield. Next to pressing machines, various modern industrial robots like laser robots and automatic cutting machines using conventional blade and water jet technology are also used during the finishing process.In order to further increase the accuracy of helmet production, these machines are for instance used to create mounting holes, in each case to suit the respective part or shape of the part.

Painting Process
Even if a number of manufacturing processes are fully automated, SHOEI now as before continues to rely predominantly on hand-painting as a means of maintaining the high product quality.

Assembly
During this step, the shield, the lower beadings, the impact absorption liner and the comfort padding are assembled by hand in line with detailed instructions. In this way SHOEI ensures that the excellent quality of its products is permanently maintained.

Do You Know about ARAI© Helmet ??

2008-12-31T17:31:00.000-08:00

The Author

Mr. Hirotake Arai, a hat maker by trade, started his company over 65 years ago. He was an artisan, a craftsman - and a motorcycle rider. Today, Michio "Mitch" Arai, another lifelong rider, runs the company. And his son, Akihito, is now the third generation.

100% Handmade

Every Arai helmet is virtually 100% handmade. Each craftsman signs the helmet shell along the way. And every helmet is hand inspected at least three times during construction. Not every hundredth helmet, or every tenth one — every single helmet. Every Arai helmet is virtually 100% handmade. Each craftsman signs the helmet shell along the way. And every helmet is hand inspected at least three times during construction. Not every hundredth helmet, or every tenth one — every single helmet.

Pursuit of Quality

Arai helmets were built to maximize the comfort and protection the rider. The company was founded by a motorcyclist almost six decades ago, and so they have approached the care of riders with a singular obsession for quality and innovation since the beginning.

Company said so

Simply said, Arai's primary goal is not to be the world's biggest helmet company, but the world's best.

Reputation

Over 50 years devoted solely to the art and science of designing and building the best helmets humanly possible. An Arai helmet is not the product of compromise, of a "profit" point, or a board of directors. An Arai helmet is the product of obsession, an ongoing obsession. One small result of this is that Arai helmets have actually been exhibited in art museums as examples of design innovations - innovations that have been copied by other manufacturers for years.

2008-12-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

Your helmet is the most important piece of kit you will own - if you look after it, it will look after you! In general, a helmet has a shelf life of around five years, but if used regularly around three years. You should keep your helmet in the best condition and clean it regularly. Whilst many helmets are made of similar materials and can be cleaned using the same method, we recommended that you always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for the specific helmet you have purchased.

Here are some general tips:

Cleaning

Daily cleaning:

Daily cleaning should be part of your helmet ritual - especially the visor. This is the window on your world so it should be clean and free of dirt, flies and scratches. You should also make sure that when you go out to ride, you have the correct visor fitted for the conditions. Cleaning your visor after every ride should be part of your post-ride ritual, as it's easier to clean before the flies dry out! If you don't have time, there's a simple way to clean it without scrubbing. Simply wet some paper towels and leave them on your visor for a few minutes and then wipe off.

Weekly cleaning:

Modern helmets are festooned with vents and intakes, which will only work if you keep them open and clean. Spend a few minutes a week with an old toothbrush or a cotton bud to clean out the vents to ensure that they are free of obstructions.

Monthly cleaning:

Many helmets today have removable linings or cheek pads. Remove these and follow the helmet manufacturer's guidelines on cleaning. Some will be washing-machine friendly, or some will need to be hand-washed and dried.

Every six months:

Even if you remove the lining and wash it regularly it's important that you give your helmet a thorough 'spring' clean. It's not nice, but over the months your helmet can receive a build-up of sweat, skin, hair-gel and even dandruff. The helmet interior, including any padding that is not removable should be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Allow to dry naturally.

Stickers, paint and storage:

Great care must be taken when it comes to the application of paint and stickers. Helmet painting is best left to the professionals who know what paint will not damage the shell. Stickers also must not have adhesive that will attack and weaken the shell. If in doubt, do not apply them. If you are an infrequent rider, store your helmet safely, preferably with a helmet bag over it and somewhere it won't get dropped or knocked. NEVER store the helmet lying on its crown.

2008-12-19T06:47:00.002-08:00

Why Wear a Bicycle Helmet?

Wearing a bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce serious head injuries by 85%
39% of deaths from cycling injuries occur in children under the age of 15.
Even a low speed fall on a bicycle path can cause a serious head injury!
As of October 15, 1995 anyone under the age of 18 must wear a certified helmet when cycling. It's the law!

How to buy the Right Helmet

There are different types of helmets for different sports and activities. This is because different sports cause different types of injuries. It is therefore important when choosing a bicycle helmet to make sure that it is specifically designed for cycling (not hockey, skiing, football, etc.) otherwise, you may not get the type of protection you need.

Check and make sure that the helmet has a certification label from one of the following organizations: Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Snell, The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), and The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). A certification label indicates that the helmet has been tested to withstand certain levels of impact giving you the best protection that is available.

Helmets should have adequate vents to allow for airflow to the head.
Avoid helmets with extremely pointed shapes, inadequate or excessive vents, dark colours, thin straps, and complicated adjustments.
Make Sure Your Helmet Fits!
When you place your helmet on your head, it should sit low. The brim of the helmet should be about two fingers width (1-2 cm) above the eyebrows.
The helmet should not be tilted forwards or backwards.
The chinstraps should go over both ears in the shape of a V. The ear should be in the middle of the V. The chinstrap should be secure around the chin, with room for one finger to fit between the strap and the chin.

Helmet Sizes

To find an approximate helmet size, measure around the head, just above the eyebrows.

Head Circumference	Helmet Size	Nominal
20 - 1/2 inches	6 - 1/2	Toddler
20 - 3/4 inches	6 - 5/8	Small
21 - 1/4inches	6 - 3/4	Medium
21 - 5/8 inches	6 - 7/8	Medium
22 inches	7	Medium
22 - 3/8 inches	7 - 1/8	Medium
22 - 3/4 inches	7 - 1/4	Large

(According to most manufacturers)

If Your Helmet is Too Small…

Loosen chin straps
Remove any extra foam from inside
If the helmet is still too small, you will need to purchase a larger one!

If Your Helmet is Too Big…

Tighten chin straps
Add extra foam to the inside of the helmet, according to the manufacturers instructions. (Most helmets come with extra foam.)
If the helmet is still too big, you will need to purchase a smaller one!

* When sizing a helmet, never alter the outer shell! This could damage the helmet and make it less effective in protecting you from a head injury!

Replacing Your Helmet

Always replace your helmet after a crash. Damage may not be seen by looking at the helmet, but the inner lining may have been destroyed.
Cracks or dents mean that you need a new helmet.
When a helmet is five years old, it needs to be replaced because the material naturally weakens over time.

Caring For Your Helmet

Wash in warm water with a mild soap.
Only use paint and stickers that come with the helmet when it is purchased (other paint and glue might damage the helmet).
Keep your helmet away from heat. Even stored in a car trunk, a helmet may become unglued and will therefore not give you effective protection against injury.
Check the screws and straps to make sure that they are tight and working properly.

Helmet Care

2008-12-05T06:28:00.001-08:00

Here are some general tips:

Cleaning

Daily cleaning:

Weekly cleaning:

Monthly cleaning:

Every six months:

Stickers, paint and storage:

Advantages of Motorcycle Helmet

2008-12-05T06:21:00.000-08:00

Compared with cars, motorcycles are an especially dangerous form of travel. The federal government estimates that per mile traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles in 2006 was about 35 times the number in cars.¹ Motorcyclist deaths have been rising in recent years — more than doubling by 2006 from the all-time low in 1997. Motorcycles often have excessive performance capabilities, including especially rapid acceleration and high top speeds. They are less stable than cars in emergency braking and less visible to other motorists. Motorcyclists are more prone to crash injuries than car occupants because motorcycles are unenclosed, leaving riders vulnerable to contact hard road surfaces. This is why wearing a helmet is so important. Helmets are the principal countermeasure for reducing crash-related head injuries, the leading cause of death among unhelmeted riders.²

1 | How effective are helmets?

Helmets decrease the severity of head injuries, the likelihood of death, and the overall cost of medical care. They are designed to cushion and protect riders' heads from the impact of a crash. Just like safety belts in cars, helmets cannot provide total protection against head injury or death, but they do reduce the incidence of both. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of crash fatality by 37 percent.² Norvell and Cummings found a 39 percent reduction in the risk of death after adjusting for age, gender, and seat position.³ Helmets are highly effective in preventing brain injuries, which often require extensive treatment and may result in lifelong disability. In the event of a crash, unhelmeted motorcyclists are three times more likely than helmeted riders to suffer traumatic brain injuries.² While no real-world crash studies have yet evaluated the effectiveness of novelty helmets or helmets that do not meet federal performance standards in preventing injury or death, recent NHTSA laboratory tests suggest that head injuries are much more likely with these helmets than with US Department of Transportation certified ones.

2 | Are there drawbacks to helmet use?

Claims have been made that helmets increase the risk of neck injury and reduce peripheral vision and hearing, but there is no credible evidence to support these arguments. A study by J.P. Goldstein often is cited by helmet opponents as evidence that helmets cause neck injuries, allegedly by adding to head mass in a crash.⁵ More than a dozen studies have refuted Goldstein's findings. A study reported in the Annals of Emergency Medicine in 1994 analyzed 1,153 motorcycle crashes in four midwestern states and determined that "helmets reduce head injuries without an increased occurrence of spinal injuries in motorcycle trauma."⁶

Regarding claims that helmets obstruct vision, studies show full-coverage helmets provide only minor restrictions in horizontal peripheral vision. A 1994 study found that wearing helmets restricts neither the ability to hear horn signals nor the likelihood of seeing a vehicle in an adjacent lane prior to initiating a lane change. To compensate for any restrictions in lateral vision, riders increased their head rotation prior to a lane change. There were no differences in hearing thresholds under three helmet conditions: no helmet, partial coverage, and full coverage. The noise generated by a motorcycle is so loud that any reduction in hearing capability that may result from wearing a helmet is inconsequential. Sound loud enough to be heard above the engine can be heard when wearing a helmet.

How to Drive Biky ?

2008-12-05T05:43:00.000-08:00

It's a beautiful day — the sun is shining, the birds are chirping. What could be more perfect than a bike ride? But wait! Before you pull your bike out of th
e garage, let's find out how to stay safe on two wheels.

Why Is Bicycle Safety So Important?

Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen. Every year, about 300,000 kids go to the emergency department because of bike injuries. Some of these injuries are so serious that children die, usually from head injuries.

A head injury can mean brain injury. That's why it's so important to wear your bike helmet. Wearing one doesn't mean you can be reckless, but a helmet will provide some protection for your head and brain in case you fall down.

A Helmet How-To

Bike helmets are so important that the U.S. government has created safety standards for them. Your helmet should have a sticker that says it meets standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If your helmet doesn't have a CPSC sticker, ask your mom or dad to get you one that does. Always wear a bike helmet, even if you are going for a short ride.

Your bike helmet should fit you properly. You don't want it too small or too big. Never wear a hat under your bike helmet. If you're unsure if your helmet fits you well, ask someone at a bike store.

Once you have the right helmet, you need to wear it the right way so it will protect you. It should be worn level and cover your forehead. Don't tip it back so your forehead is showing. The straps should always be fastened. If the straps are flying, it's likely to fall off your head when you need it most. Make sure the straps are adjusted so they're snug enough that you can't pull or twist the helmet around on your head.

Take care of your bike helmet and don't throw it around. That could damage the helmet and it won't protect you as well when you really need it. If you do fall down and put your helmet to the test, be sure to get a new one. They don't work as well after a major crash.

Many bike helmets today are lightweight and come in cool colors. If you don't love yours as it is, personalize it with some of your favorite stickers. Reflective stickers are a great choice because they look cool and make you more visible to people driving cars.

Helmet On, Now What?

Riding a bike that is the right size for you also help keeps you safe.

When you are on your bicycle, stand straddling the top bar of your bike so that both feet are flat on the ground.
There should be 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of space between you and the top bar.

Here's a safety checklist your mom or dad can help you do:

Make sure your seat, handlebars, and wheels fit tightly.
Check and oil your chain regularly.
Check your brakes to be sure they work well and aren't sticking.
Check your tires to make sure they have enough air and the right amount of tire pressure.

Be Seen, Be Safe!

Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your bike also can help you stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you. And if they see you, that means they're less likely to run into you.

You'll also want to make sure that nothing will get caught in your bike chain, such as loose pant legs, backpack straps, or shoelaces. Wear the right shoes — sneakers — when you bike. Sandals, flip-flops, shoes with heels, and cleats won't help you grip the pedals. And never go riding barefoot! Riding gloves may help you grip the handlebars — and make you look like a professional!

But avoid wearing headphones because the music can distract you from noises around you, such as a car blowing its horn so you can get out of the way.

Where to Ride

You need to check with your mom and dad about where you're allowed to ride your bike. You need to know how far you're a

llowed to go and whether you should ride on the sidewalk on in the street. Kids younger than 10 years should ride on the sidewalk and avoid the street. No matter where you ride, you need to keep an eye out for cars and trucks. Even if you're just riding on sidewalk, a car may pull out of its driveway into the path of your bike. If you're crossing a busy road, it's best to walk your bike across the street.

A bike path free of cars is a great choice if there's one in your area. Just remember to share the path with the other riders, walkers, and strollers who also might be using it! And if you're going on a long ride, bring some water along with you.

Keep an eye on the road ahead so you can be prepared for big hills and road obstacles. Some common ones that can cause falls include:

wet leaves
big puddles
changes in the road surface
storm grates
gravel or rocks
curbs
little kids in your way!

Road Rules

If you're allowed to ride on the street, follow these road rules:

Always ride with your hands on the handlebars.
Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway, an alley, or a curb.
Cross at intersections. When you pull out between parked cars, drivers can't see you coming.
Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.
Use bike lanes or designated bike routes wherever you can.
Don't ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly.
Stop at all stop signs and obey street (red) lights just as cars do.
Ride single file on the street with friends.
When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left side, and call out "On your left!" so they know that you are coming.

Hand Signals

2

3

4

1. Turn Left
2. Stop
3. Turn Right
4. Also turn right

It will also help to learn some hand signals. These are like turn signals and brake lights for bikers. It helps cars and trucks know what you will do next, so they don't run into you.

Now that you've learned those hand signals, we'd like to give you a big thumbs-up for finding out more about bike safety!

BICYCLE HELMET

2008-11-28T00:04:00.000-08:00