By USAG Stuttgart Safety Office
Wearing a properly fitted helmet isn’t the only precaution bicyclists should take when riding.
Before hitting the road on your bike, keep in mind the following safety tips:
Be Seen: No matter the time of the day, you need to be seen by others. Always wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding day or night.
Obey all traffic laws: A bicycle is a vehicle and you are the driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings.
Be predictable: Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Signal your moves to others.
Stay alert at all times: Use your eyes and ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, railroad tracks or anything that could make you lose control of your bike. You need your ears to hear traffic and avoid dangerous situations, so don’t wear a headset when you ride.
Look before turning: When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic and then signal well before making the turn. Watch for left-or right-turning traffic.
Watch for parked cars: Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars, such as doors opening or cars pulling out.
For more information visit https://safety.army.mil.