Bicycle safety stuff!

HELMETS & LIGHTS

All cyclists participating in a Cool Cats scheduled ride must wear a helmet. Depending upon the time of year, lights may be required during evening rides.

There's some great information listed on the below web site, including reviews of all new helmets each year.

http://www.bhsi.org/index.htm

GENERAL SAFETY & COURTESY TOWARDS OTHER ROAD USERS

- Stop at all red lights - Don’t roll-through them or cross the intersection on a pedestrian crosswalk. Stop just like another vehicle would.

- Be aware of what other road users (vehicles) need to do - Such as a car that wants to turn right in front of you, or a truck that needs more room. A good rule of thumb is to let them do what they are trying to do…They’re much bigger and you’ll be the one who gets hurt!

 - Make eye contact  - At intersections and driveways, etc., always look directly at other road users. If you don’t they may think one thing and you another, then BAM!…you’re a casualty.

- Just because somebody honks at you don’t automatically think the worst. Many motorists honk as a courtesy to let you know they’re behind you. You’ll know a bad honk when you hear one…it’s usually accompanied by some hand gestures as they pass you!

See the below web site link for the Texas laws pertaining to cyclists.

http://www.biketexas.org/content/view/51/65/

COMMONLY USED VERBAL COMMANDS:

“Car Back” – Vehicle (s) behind us
“Car Up” – Vehicle (s) coming toward us
“Slowing” – We are slowing down
“Stopping” – We are stopping
“Clear Left” – No vehicles on the road to the left
“Clear Right” – No vehicles on the road to the right
“On Your Left” – I’m passing on your left
“On Your Right” – I’m passing on your right
“Hole” or “Gravel” – Hazard warning - Also point with your hand  "On your wheel" – You are directly behind another rider - close!

COMMONLY USED HAND SIGNALS

Turning left – Left arm extended-out straight.
Turning right – Right arm extended-out straight (older, alternate signal still used by some is the left arm extended upward in and “L” fashion).
Slowing or stopping – Left arm down with open palm.
 

MORE GOOD SAFETY TIPS!

- If you find yourself going off the paved surface to the right and there is a "lip" between the pavement and the grass / dirt, DO NOT attempt to turn your front wheel left to get back on the roadway.  Unless you are very experienced, your wheel will hit the lip causing you to lose control and fall...probably into the roadway.  It is better to go off to the right into the grass / dirt and try to gently brake or fall off to the side of the road

- Try to always pass other cyclists on their left. If not, give a loud voice warning of your intentions to pass on the right.

- Always carry these basic things with you on any ride:

  * Cell phone   * Water   *Driver's License   *Medical cards   *Puncture repair stuff such as two spare tubes and tire levers   *Map if needed

- In your cell phone make an emergency "ICE" entry... a number for somebody else to call your significant other or family member "In Case of Emergency... ICE"

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