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Hand SignalsHelmet SafetyRules of the Road



Rules of the Road
The rules of the road are the same for bicyclists as for motorists.  A bicyclist must obey all traffic signs, laws, and regulations.  For great safety tips check out the website below.
http://www.rtis.com/reg/bcs/org/bvcweb/bvc-tips.htm

Hand Signals
Note:  The hand signals for bicycling are the same as for motorists and motorcyclists.


 

Right Turn=  Left armextended to the left side of the body, fingers pointing toward the sky.  The elbow is down and palm is open.  Arm should make a 90 degree angle.  It looks like the pull off signal without the motion.
Left Turn= Left arm extended straight out to the left side of the body.


Helmet Safety
There is no federal law in the U.S. requiring helmets. States and localities began adopting laws in
1987, but there is no formal central registry for them. Here are the ones we are aware of as of this
date. The States are probably all included, but we believe that some localities are missing.

                                                                       Date
    Jurisdiction        Coverage          Ages/Conditions    Effective
=======================================================================
Alabama
  State Law             State-wide         Under 16          1995
  Montevallo            City-wide          All ages          1993
  Homewood              City-wide          All ages          1994

Arizona
  Tucson                City-wide          Under 18          1993
  Yuma                  City-wide          Under 18          1997

California
  State Law             State-wide     Passengers under 5    1987
  State Law             State-wide     Riders under 18       1994
  Bidwell Park,         Regional park  All ages              1991
   Chico, CA

Connecticut
  State Law             State-wide         Under 15        1993/1997
  Seymour REPEALED      Town-wide          All ages          1998 REPEALED 1999

Delaware
  State Law             State-wide         Under 16          1996

Florida
  State Law             State-wide,        Under 16          1997 (fines 1-1-98)
                        public property
                        only.

Georgia
  State Law             State-wide         Under 16          1993

Illinois
  Barrington            Village-wide       Under 17          1997
  Inverness             Village-wide       Under 16          1999

Maryland
  State Law             State-wide         Under 16          1995
  Allegheny Co          County-wide        Under 16          1992
  Howard County         County-wide        Under 17          1990
  Montgomery Co         County roads       Under 18          1991
  Sykesville            City-wide          All ages          1995

Massachusetts
  State Law             State-wide     Passengers under 5    1990
                        State-wide     Riders under 13       1994

Michigan
  E. Grand Rapids       City-wide          Under 18          1995
  Adrian                City-wide          Under 15          1998

New Jersey
  State Law             State-wide         Under 14          1992

New York
  State Law             State-wide     Passengers under 5    1989
  State Law             State-wide     Riders under 14       1994
  Chemung Co.           County-wide        Under 15          1995
  Erie County Parks     County parks       All ages          1993
  Greenburgh            City-wide          All ages          1994
  Guilderland           Town-wide          Under 14          1992
  Rockland County       County-wide        All ages          1992

North Carolina
  Black Mountain        City-wide          All ages          1996
  Boone                 City-wide          All ages          1995
  Carolina Beach        City-wide          Under 16          1994
  Carrboro              City-wide          Under 16          1997
  Chapel Hill           City-wide          Under 16          1992

Ohio
  Beachwood             City-wide          Under 16          1990
  Brecksville
  Dublin
  Orange Village        City-wide          Ages 6 to 15      1992
  Strongsville          City-wide          Under 12          1993
  West Carrollton

Oregon
  State Law             State-wide         Under 16          1993

Pennsylvania
  State Law             State-wide    Passengers under 5     1991
                        State-wide    Riders under 12        1995

Rhode Island
  State Law             State-wide         Under 9           1996
                                                   Under 16          1998

Texas
  Arlington             City-wide          Under 18          1997
  Austin                City-wide          Under 18          1996/1997
  Bedford               City-wide          Under 18          1996
  Benbrook              City-wide          Under 17          1996
  Coppell               City-wide          All ages          1997
  Dallas                City-wide          All ages          1996
  Fort Worth            City-wide          Under 18          1996
  Houston               City-wide          Under 18          1995

Tennessee
  State Law             State-wide         Under 12          1994
  Clarksville           City-wide          All ages          1993

Virginia
  Alexandria            City-wide          Under 15          1994
  Arlington County      County-wide        Under 15          1993
  Blacksburg            City-wide          Under 15          1994
  Fairfax County        County-wide        Under 15          1993
  Falls Church          City-wide          Under 15          1993
  Front Royal           City-wide          Under 15          1996
  Manassas              City-wide          Under 15          1995
  Manassas Park         City-wide          Under 15          1997
  Newport News          City-wide          Under 15          1997
  Prince William Co.    County-wide        Under 15          1995
  Virginia Beach        City-wide          Under 15          1995
 

Washington State
  Eatonville            City-wide          Under 16          1996
  Fircrest              City-wide          All ages          1995
  Gig Harbor            City-wide          All ages          1996
  King County           (excludes Seattle) All ages          1993
  Lakewood              City-wide          All ages          1996
  Milton                City-wide          All ages          1997
  Orting                City-wide          Under 17          1997
  Pierce County         County-wide        All ages          1994
  Port Angeles          City-wide          All ages          1993
  Poulsbo               City-wide          Under 18          1995
  Puyallup              City-wide          All ages          1994
  Steilacoom            City-wide          All ages          1995
  Tacoma                City-wide          All ages          1994
  University Place      City-wide          All ages          1996
 

West Virginia
  State Law             State-wide         Under 15          1996
  Clarksburg            City-wide          Under 18          1993
  Morgantown            City-wide          All ages          1993
  South Charleston      City-wide          Under 18          1994
  St. Albans            City-wide          Under 18          1995

Wisconsin
   Port Washington      City-wide          Under 17          1997
 


Pointers for fitting the helmet correctly:

The following is derived from:  http://www.helmets.org/webdocs/pamnhts1.htm
Your Bicycle Helmet A Correct Fit:

Fitting a Bike Helmet:

Position
              Put the helmet on your head so it sits evenly between the ears and rests low on your forehead it should
              only be about 1 2 finger widths above your eyebrow.
Pads
              Put foam pads inside the helmet so it feels comfortable but really snug. Usually, the helmet includes
              more than one size of foam pads that can be velcroed inside the helmet for a better fit.
Straps
              Tighten the chin strap as snugly as possible. Adjust the junction of front and back straps just under the
              ears and secure back strap without putting pressure on the front strap.

              NOTE:  If all of this sounds confusing, follow the simple 5 Step Helmet Fit Test below.

              A Good Helmet Fit is as important as wearing one...but it takes time.  Allow as much as a half hour
              to get a proper helmet fit. If fitting your child, don't try to "rush" it as they are trying to go outside to
              ride.  Do it while they're relaxed and you have plenty of time. Then secure the adjustments so the helmet
              is ready for the next ride.

Five-Step Helmet Fit Test


              Step 1
             With one hand, gently lift the front of the helmet up and back.
              Problem:
                    Helmet moves back to uncover the forehead.
              Solution:
                    Tighten front strap to junction. Also, adjust padding thickness and/or position, especially in back. Make
                    sure chin strap is snug. If this doesn't work, the helmet may be to big.

               Step 2
               With one hand, gently lift the back of the helmet up and forward.
                Problem:
                    Helmet moves forward to cover the eyes.
                Solution:
                    Tighten back strap. Make sure chin strap is snug. Also, adjust padding thickness and/or position,
                    especially in front.

               Step 3
               Put a hand on each side of the helmet and rock from side to side. Shake your head "no" as hard as
               possible.
            Problem:
                    Helmet slips from side to side.
           Solution:
                    Check padding on sides and make sure straps are evenly adjusted.

               Step 4
              Open your mouth (lower jaw) as wide as possible, without moving your head. The top of your helmet
              should pull down.
               Problem:
                    Helmet does not pull down when opening your mouth.
           Solution:
                    Tighten chin strap. Make sure Tighten chin strap. Make sure junction is under each ear.

              Step 5
              Check to see if the front edge of helmet covers your forehead. The front edge of the helmet should not
              be more than 1 to 2 finger widths from your eyebrows.
                Problem:
                    Helmet does not cover the forehead.
                Solution:
                    Position helmet no more than 1 to 2 finger widths above eyebrows. Tighten any loose straps. Make
                    adjustments so the helmet stays over the forehead.

                NOTE:  Have someone else test your helmet fit by doing the 5-Step Test outlined above. Hold
                your head still during the test. The helmet should pass each of the 5 steps.

Buying A Bike Helmet


             1)   Buy a helmet that has been tested and meets the uniform safety standard issued by the U.S. Consumer
              Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or one or more of the voluntary bicycle helmet standards like
              ASTM, Snell or ANSI. You can tell this by looking for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the
              standard.

              2)   Select a brand and size that fits well prior to any adjustments. Adjustable sizing pads are often included
              to help ensure a better fit. Buy one that's comfortable and attractive. You’ll be more likely to wear it.

              3)   Buy a helmet that fits your child now, not a helmet to "grow into."

              4)   Replace any helmet that has been involved in a crash!

HELMET FACT:

              A bicycle helmet reduces the risk of serious head and brain injury by 85-88 per cent.

              But it’s not enough to simply buy and wear one - you need to make sure it fits properly.

              US. Department of Transportation
              National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

              People Saving People
              http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

              Developed by the National Highway Traffic
              Safety Administration Region 10

              Harborview Injury Prevention
              and Research Center (HIPRC)

              Snell Memorial Foundation Seattle, WA
              DOT HS 808 000
              September 1998

              Permission to reprint with credit is hereby granted.


If you have comments or suggestions,

wagngoss@eburg.com

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last updated 5/31/99