Adult Bike Safety

September 13, 2005

Although bike safety is most often addressed to children learning to ride for the first time, it is also an important topic with adults who take part in the outdoor recreational activity. Here are some tips to keep in mind for adults when riding bicycles:

• The adult cyclist should assess her or himself: How confident are you in your cycling skills? What would you like to know more about? Are there particular kinds of cycling you'd like to try out? With that in mind, adult cyclists may wish to check around their community for bike clubs, classes, rides, and other cycling opportunities that may be of interest to them.
• Adult cyclists should know basic traffic hand signals and use them appropriately when riding on streets.
• Adult cyclists should remain in the designated bike lane when riding in the streets and follow traffic laws including stopping at stop signs and red lights.
• The adult cyclist should brush up on riding skills and rules if it has been a while since he or she has regularly cycled.
• Since it is easy for a cyclist to disappear in traffic, wear bright clothing for the greatest visibility. At dusk and after nightfall, if you must ride wear white or reflective clothing and attach lights to the front and rear of your bicycle.
• Adult cyclists who wish to cycle with small children, and cyclists needing to transport cargo, should investigate the various child seats and trailers available, determine which are the safest, and which will work best for them.
• Adult cyclists should learn more about off-road cycling, touring, and racing before participating in these activities. Adult cyclists are encouraged to try cycling on multi-use paths, but should remember to respect others' needs on the trails.
• Even adult cyclists who maintain that they only cycle on paths or quiet streets should not underestimate the importance of wearing a helmet. Accidents can happen anywhere.
• Adult cyclists should learn how to handle harassment from motorists and others in traffic. As difficult as it may be, it's in the cyclist's best interest not to return any harassment or insult.
• Just like a car, a bicycle requires basic maintenance to keep running smoothly and safely.
• Finally, as fuel prices continue to soar, people are choosing alternative modes of transportation. Incidents of cyclist being hit by motor vehicles have increased. It is the responsibility of both cars and bikes to drive defensively and share the road.

To set up a media interview with a REMSA representative, please call Scott Walquist at 775.686.2116.

REMSA is a private, not-for-profit emergency medical services system serving northern Nevada. REMSA’s state-of-the-art 9-1-1 dispatch communications center is fully accredited, as are all emergency medical transport services of the company. REMSA provides quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720