Off-Road Riding We recommend that children not ride on rough terrain unless they are  accompanied by an adult.  1. The variable conditions and hazards of off-road riding require close attention and specific skills. Start slowly on easier terrain and build up your skills. Get to know how to handle your bike safely before trying increased speed or more difficult terrain.  2. Wear safety gear appropriate to the kind of riding you plan to do.  3. Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with others, make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.  4. Always take along some kind of identification, so that people know who you are in case of an accident; and take along some cash for food, a cool drink or an emergency phone call.  5. Yield right of way to pedestrians and animals. Ride in a way that does not frighten or endanger them, and give them enough room so that their unexpected moves don’t endanger you.  6. Be prepared. If something goes wrong, help may not be close.   7. Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read and understand this section. Off Road Respect Obey the local laws regulating where and how you can ride off-road, and respect private property. You may be sharing the trail with others — hikers, equestrians, other cyclists. Respect their rights. Stay on the designated trail. Don’t contribute to erosion by riding in mud or with unnecessary sliding. Don’t disturb the ecosystem by cutting your own trail or shortcut through vegetation or streams. It is your responsibility to minimize your impact on the environment. Leave things as you found them; and always take out everything you brought in. Wet Weather Riding WARNING Wet weather impairs traction, braking and visibility, both for the bicyclist and for other vehicles sharing the road. The risk of an accident is dramatically increased in wet conditions. Under wet conditions, the stopping power of your brakes (as well as the brakes of other vehicles sharing the road) is dramatically reduced and your tires don’t grip nearly as well. This makes it harder to control speed and easier to lose control. To make sure that you can slow down and stop safely in wet conditions, ride more slowly and apply your brakes earlier and more gradually than you would under normal, dry conditions.  Night Riding  Riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding during the day. A bicyclist is very difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore, children should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults who chose to accept the greatly increased risk of riding at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra care both riding and choosing specialized equipment which helps reduce that risk. Consult your retailer about night riding safety equipment. WARNING Reflectors are not a substitute for required lights. Riding at dawn, at dusk, at night or at other times of poor visibility without an adequate bicycle lighting system and without reflectors is dangerous and may result in serious injury or death. CAUTION Check reflectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted.  Have your retailer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or tighten any that are bent or loose. Bicycle reflectors are designed to pick up and reflect car lights and street lights in a way that may help you to be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist. If you choose to ride under conditions of poor visibility, check and be sure you comply with all local laws about night riding, and take the following strongly recommended additional precautions:  • Purchase and install battery or generator powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory requirements and provide adequate visibility.  • Wear light colored, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a reflective vest, reflective arm and leg bands, reflective stripes on your helmet, flashing lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... any reflective device or light source that moves will help you get the attention of approaching motorists, pedestrians and other traffic.  • Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the bicycle does not obstruct a reflector or light.  • Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned  and securely mounted reflectors. While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:  •  Ride slowly. If you choose to ride under conditions of poor visibility, check and be sure you comply with all local laws about night riding, and take the following strongly recommended additional precautions: • Purchase and install battery or generator powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory requirements and provide adequate visibility.  • Wear light colored, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a reflective vest, reflective arm and leg bands, reflective stripes on your helmet, flashing lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... any reflective device or light source that moves will help you get the attention of approaching motorists, pedestrians and other traffic.  • Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the bicycle does not obstruct a reflector or light.  • Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned  and securely mounted reflectors.  While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:  • Ride slowly. • Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving traffic. • Avoid road hazards.  • If possible, ride on familiar routes. If riding in traffic:  • Be predictable. Ensure drivers can see you and predict your movements. • Be alert. Ride defensively and expect the unexpected.  • If you plan to ride in traffic often, ask your retailer about traffic safety classes or a good book on bicycle traffic safety. WARNING Although many catalogs, advertisements and articles about bicycling depict riders engaged in racing or competition, this activity can be extremely dangerous, increases your risk of injury, severity of an injury, or even death. Remember that the action depicted is being performed by professionals with many years of training and experience. Know your limits and always wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear. Even with state-of-the-art protective safety gear, you could be seriously injured or killed when riding at speed or in competition. WARNING Bicycles and bicycle parts have limitations with regard to strength and integrity, and riding in competition can exceed those limitations. In particular the following situations can exceed the design limits of your bicycle, and result in a loss of control and falling which could result in serious injury or death: Hopping/jumping your bicycle. Riding over curbs, sticks or debris.