Bicycle Safety and the New York State Helmet Law |
Assemblyman Michael J. Cusick |
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1911 Richmond Avenue
Room 727 LOB |
Learn and Use Proper Hand Signals With bicycle season in full-swing, it’s important to know how to be safe cyclists. One way to stay safe is to use hand signals when riding on the road. Hand signals help prevent accidents and injuries by letting motorists and other cyclists know when you are turning or stopping. Make sure you practice the hand signals (illustrated to the right) before you ride your bike on the roads. |
Basic Safety Equipment |
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State law requires bicycles to be equipped with:
For additional safety, bicyclists should be equipped with chain guards, day-glo safety flags and handle grips. Riders must wear approved helmets and should use pants leg clips and wear bright colored clothes. Sections reprinted with permission of AAA |
Use Your Head - Wear a Helmet | ||
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To prevent head injuries, your helmet should:
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Rules of the Road |
Bicyclists must obey these and all traffic laws. Failure to do so is a traffic infraction and could result in fines for adults and Family Court action for children. |
Fit the Bicycle to the Child | |
Size of bike for average child | |
Under 5 years | 12" or 16" wheel |
5 to 7 years | 20" wheel |
8 to 10 years | 24" wheel |
11 and over | 26" or 27" wheel |
BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS |
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Parents and Children! Take the... | |||||||||
Answer TRUE or FALSE
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1. _____ | Bicycles are toys. |
2. _____ | Hand signals tell other drivers that you can drive with one hand. |
3. _____ | Traffic signs and signals are only for car drivers. |
4. _____ | You only need to wear a helmet when riding on busy streets. |
5. _____ | Before you enter a street from an alley or driveway, you should always stop first. |
6. _____ | Before you make a left turn, look quickly over your shoulder to find out what is coming behind. |
7. _____ | The seat of a bike is the right height if you can touch the ground with the toes of both feet. |
8. _____ | Your brakes are good enough if your rear wheel skids on loose dirt, but not on pavement. |
9. _____ | A loose bicycle chain means that it is easier to pedal. |
10. _____ | Sidewalks are safer to ride on than roads. |
11. _____ | You don’t have to stop at a stop sign if you are on a bike and there are no vehicles coming. |
12. _____ | It’s generally a good idea to ride a bicycle at least four feet out from parked cars even if it means being closer to moving cars. |
13. _____ | Bicycles should be operated in the middle of traffic lanes. |
ANSWERS:1. False. Adults ride bicycles also and all must obey the rules of the road. 2. False. Hand signals alert motorists to your actions. 3. False. Everyone using the road must obey traffic signs and signals. 4. False. A helmet should be worn anytime you ride a bicycle and it must be worn by bicyclists under age 14. 5. True. 6. True. 7. True. 8. False. 9. False. 10. False. Sidewalks can be more dangerous due to the number of sight restrictions, driveways and obstacles. 11. False. Bicyclists must stop at stop signs. 12. True. 13. False. State law requires bicycles to be operated in bike lanes, or near the right-edge curb or shoulder to avoid undue interference with traffic. |
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