Acknowledgement

This document is a joint 

publication of the National

Highway Traffic Safety

Administration and the 

U.S. Consumer Product 

Safety Commission.
Protect Your Head.

Wear A Helmet.

Never ride a bicycle 

without a helmet. The

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration (NHSTA) and the U.S.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC) recommend that bicyclists wear

a helmet that complies with the CPSC

standard.

Bicycle helmets can reduce head

injuries by 85 percent. Select a helmet

that fits snugly and sits flat on the head.

For children, use the extra padding

that comes with the helmet to ensure a

proper fit. This padding can be removed

as the child’s head grows.

Assure Bicycle

Readiness. Make

Sure Your Bicycle is

Adjusted Properly.

Make sure you can stand over the top

tube of your bicycle. Adjust your bicycle

to fit you (see Owner’s Manual).

Before using your bicycle, check to

make sure all parts are secure and 

working well. The handlebars should 

be firmly in place and turn easily. Your

wheels must be straight and secure.

Add a carrier to the back of your 

bicycle if you need to carry things.
Stop It. Always Check

Brakes Before Riding.

Always control your speed

by using your brakes. If

your bicycle has hand brakes, apply the

rear brake slightly before the front brake.

Always keep your brakes adjusted. If you

cannot stop quickly, adjust your brakes.

Consult your Bicycle Owner’s Manual

or have a bicycle shop adjust the brakes.

When your hand brake levers are fully

applied, they should not touch the 

handlebars. Each brake shoe pad should

wear evenly and never be separated

more than one eighth inch from the rim.

Ride slowly in wet weather and apply

your brakes earlier – it takes more 

distance to stop.

See and Be Seen.

Wear clothes that make 

you more visible. Always

wear neon, florescent, 

or other bright colors when riding 

a bicycle.

Avoid Biking 

At Night.

It is far more dangerous 

to bicycle at night than during the day. Most bicycles are equipped

for daylight use and need to be adapted

for nighttime use.
If you must ride at night, you should

do the following:

• Ride with reflectors that meet 

CPSC’s requirements. These 

should be permanently installed on 

bicycles for daytime use also. If a 

carrier is added, make sure the rear 

reflector remains visible.

• Add the brightest lights you can find 

to the front and rear of your bicycle.

• Wear retro-reflective clothing 

or material – not just white or 

florescent – especially on your 

ankles, wrists, back, and helmet.

• Only ride in areas familiar to you. 

Brightly lit streets are best. Always 

assume you are not seen by a driver.

Young children should NOT

ride at night.

Stay Alert. Always

Keep A Lookout 

for Obstacles in 

Your Path.

Stay alert at all times. Watch out for 

potholes, cracks, expansion joints, 

railroad tracks, wet leaves, drainage

grates, or anything that could make 

you fall.

Before going around any object, scan

ahead, and behind you for a gap in 

traffic. Plan your move, signal your

intentions, and then do what you
planned. If you are unsure, or lack the

skill to handle an especially rough 

area, pull off to the right side of the 

road and walk your bicycle around the

rough area.

Be especially careful in wet weather 

and when there could be ice or frost 

on your path.

• Cross all railroad tracks at a 90 

degree angle and proceed slowly.

• Use special care on bridges.

Go With The Flow.

The Safe Way is 

The RIGHT Way.

Ride on the right side in a

straight predictable path. Always go 

single file in the same direction as other

vehicles. Riding against traffic puts you

where motorists don’t expect you. They

may not see you, and may pull across

your path, or turn into you.

Young children, typically under the 

age of nine, are not able to identify 

and adjust to many dangerous traffic 

situations, and therefore, should 

not be allowed to ride in the street 

unsupervised. Children who are 

permitted to ride in the street without

supervision should have the necessary

skills to safely follow the “rules of 

the road.”
Check for Traffic.

Always be Aware 

of The Traffic 

Around You.

Over 70 percent of car-bicycle crashes

occur at driveways or other intersections. Before you enter any street or

intersection, check for traffic. Always

look left-right-left, and walk your bicycle

into the street to begin your ride.

If already in the street, always look

behind you for a break in traffic, then

signal, before going left or right. Watch

for left or right turning traffic.

Learn Rules of 

The Road. Obey

Traffic Laws.

Bicycles are considered

vehicles. Bicyclists must obey the same

rules as motorists. Read your State 

drivers’ handbook, and learn and follow

all the traffic signs, laws, and rules for

operating a vehicle on the road.

Always signal your moves. Be courteous to pedestrians and other vehicle

operators.

Never wear headphones while riding

as they impair your ability to hear traffic.

Become familiar with the accommodations that are available for bicyclists 

in your area. These include bicycle
lanes and routes as well as off road

paths. Take advantage of these whenever

possible.

Don’t Flip Over Your

Bicycle. Wheels

Should Be Securely

Fastened.

If your bicycle has quick release wheels,

it is your responsibility to make sure

they are firmly closed at all times and to

use the safety retainer if there is one.

Check your wheels before every ride,

after any fall, or after transporting your

bicycle. Read your Owner’s Manual 

for instructions and follow them. If 

you are even slightly confused about

what “firmly closed” means, talk to 

your bicycle dealer before you ride 

your bicycle.
1. Protect Your Head. 

Wear A Helmet.

2. Assure Bicycle 

Readiness. Make Sure 

Your Bicycle is 

Adjusted Properly.

3. Stop It. Always Check 

Brakes Before Riding.

4. See and Be Seen.

5. Avoid Biking At Night.

6. Stay Alert. Always 

Keep A Lookout for 

Obstacles in Your Path.

7. Go With The Flow. 

The Safe Way is 

The RIGHT Way.

8. Check for Traffic. 

Always be Aware of 

The Traffic Around You.

9. Learn Rules of 

The Road. 

Obey Traffic Laws.

10. Don’t Flip Over Your 

Bicycle. Wheels Should 

Be Securely Fastened.

Ten Smart Routes 

to Bicycle Safety
Remember

• Read your bicycle owner’s 

manual thoroughly before 

operating your bicycle.

• These recommendations 

are just that, recommendations, and are not 

meant to replace owner’s 

manual instructions.

• For more information on 

safety and rules of the 

road, consult your State 

Department of Motor 

Vehicles.

Compliments of...

DOT HS 808 763

Reprinted September 1998