learn how to ride a bike

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

Bicycle Riding School

Sheldon Brown

Bike fit

You need to have a bike that fits you, otherwise it may be difficult to control!

General guidelines:

Diamond frame bike (examples: road, mountain, hybrid, bmx)- stand over the frame with 1 to 3 inches of clearance.

Women's style frame- adjust seat to fit.

Beginner riders should have seat adjusted so that both feet are able to touch the ground while rider is seated on the seat.

Advanced riders should have seat adjusted for comfortable and efficient pedaling.

Some local bike shops offer custom fitting services.

 

To select and properly fit a bicycle helmet, follow the helmet fitting instructions below.

En español.

Step 1 -size

Measure your head for approximate size. Try the

helmet on to ensure it fits snuggly. While it is sitting

flat on top of your head, make sure the helmet doesn’t

rock side to side. Sizing pads come with new helmets;

use the pads to securely fit to your head. Mix or match

the sizing pads for the greatest comfort. In your child’s

helmet, remove the padding when your child’s head

grows. If the helmet has a universal fit ring instead of

sizing pads, adjust the ring size to fit the head.

Step 2 -position

The helmet should sit level on your

head and low on your forehead—one

or two finger-widths above your

eyebrow.

Step 3 -buckles

Center the left buckle under the chin.

On most helmets, the straps can be

pulled from the back of the helmet to

lengthen or shorten the chin straps.

This task is easier if you take the

helmet off to make these adjustments.

Step 4 -side straps

Adjust the slider on both straps to

form a “V” shape under, and slightly

in front of, the ears. Lock the

slider if possible.

Step 5 -chin strap

Buckle your chin strap. Tighten the

strap until it is snug, so that no more

than one or two fingers fit under the

strap.

Step 6 -final fitting

A. Does your helmet fit right? Open

your mouth wide…big yawn! The

helmet should pull down on the head.

If not, refer back to step 5 and tighten

the chin strap.

B. Does your helmet rock back more than two fingers

above the eyebrows? If so, unbuckle, shorten the

front strap by moving the slider forward.

Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again.

C. Does your helmet rock forward into your eyes? If

so, unbuckle, tighten the back strap by moving the

slider back toward the ear. Buckle, retighten the

chin strap, and test again.

D. Roll the rubber band down to the buckle. All four

straps must go through the rubber band and be

close to the buckle to prevent the buckle from

slipping.

Helmet fitting courtesy of NHTSA.

 

10 Essential Bike Skills

1.  Stopping

Quick Stop. Emergency stop by shifting your weight back, straightening your arms, and using both brakes. If the rear skids, ease up on both brakes. Know the limits of your front wheel to avoid a dangerous front skid.

2.  Right of way yielding, look before entering (left, right, left)

3.  Ride on the right

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Scanning to the rear

5.  Signaling turns, slowing/stopping, straight through

6.  Turning safely

Watch for the "Left Cross." Left turning motorists tend to look down the center of the lane for other motor vehicles, and are less likely to notice bicyclists who are close to the curb and smaller. Avoid this danger by being vigilant, and more visible by positioning yourself closer to, or even straight down, the middle of the lane. Keep from being visually screened by other motor vehicles.

Fend off the "Right Hook." Motorists sometimes overtake bicyclists only to wind up cutting them off when making a right turn. Guard against this type of danger by being further from the curb, forcing the driver to make a more sweeping turn. Expect the "right hook" to happen, and be able to "Instaturn" if necessary.

7.  Lane position for left turns

Turning left. There are two ways to turn left: "vehicular" style and "2 Step" style. It should rarely be a necessity, but use a "2 Step" turn if traffic is too heavy for you to turn left like other vehicles. Go through the intersection, align yourself facing left, and proceed when clear or on the green if at a signal.

 

8.  Recognizing and avoiding hazards

Quick Dodge. Watch out for road surface hazards: potholes, large rocks, gravel, bad drainage grates or other slots in the direction of travel, wet metal surfaces, and assorted debris. Avoid sudden unforeseen hazards such as potholes by turning left then right back quickly around the object. The rear wheel should also miss the threat. You may also "bunny hop" a hazard. If you must ride over something, rise off the saddle and use your legs like shock absorbers.

9.  Passing parked cars

10.  Planning safe bike routes