- Cycling rules & common sense tips
- Young cyclists
- Safety equipment
- Buying The Right Bike
- Riding in traffic
- Finding a good place to ride
- Looking after your bike
1. Cycling rules & common sense tips
Cyclists must obey the same road rules as motorists.
Some of the essential road rules applicable to cyclists are as follows:
Keep to the left: Ride as close as practicable to the left hand side of the road or bike path.
Bicycle lanes: Remain within designated bike lanes whenever practicable.
Passing on the left: When approaching an intersection, cyclists are permitted to pass stationary vehicles on the left when safe to do so. Watch for cars turning across your path.
Pedestrian crossings: Cyclists must give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings. If using the crossing, cyclists must dismount and walk their bikes across.
Hand signals: Cyclists must signal before turning right or changing lanes to the right. Hand signals are not mandatory when turning to the left or stopping, but may be given as a courtesy to other traffic.
Two abreast: It is legal to ride two abreast. In some circumstances (eg on a narrow road) it may be more sensible to ride in single file.
Passengers: It is illegal to carry passengers except in an approved child’s seat or on a tandem.
Shared paths: Most off-road paths are shared with pedestrians - check for signs. Cyclists must warn pedestrians of their approach (especially from behind) and pass on the right. At all other times keep to the left.
Footpaths: It is illegal to ride a bicycle on the footpath in South Australia (unless you are under 12 years of age or carrying and complying with a certificate issued by a doctor).
Bus lanes: Cyclists are permitted to ride in bus lanes, but must make way for buses to move off on the white ‘B’ light at traffic signals. Cyclists are not permitted to proceed on this signal. Some traffic signals include a cyclists’ light which indicates that cyclists may proceed.
Riding in national parks: Special conditions apply to the use of bicycles in national parks. Check with the park authority first. Off-road cycling is not permitted in most of South Australia’s national parks.
Remember that cyclists are not as protected as motorists so always be alert and watchful for the actions of others.
[Back to Top]
2. Young cyclists
The very young
Young children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult when riding. They should not be permitted to ride on the road until they know and understand the road rules and are capable of riding in traffic.
Practice makes perfect
A good place to learn cycling skills is in an empty carpark. Once children have the basic riding skills, practice should be encouraged on off-road paths and quieter back streets.
Two abreast
Riding two abreast is the maximum - even when an adult is cycling with more than one child. Children should ride on the inside (near the kerb). If riding with several children let them ride ahead where they can be seen.
Intersections
Younger children should dismount and walk their bikes across busy intersections.
Passengers
Children can only be carried in an approved child’s seat or on a tandem. If in a child’s seat they should be securely restrained and must wear an approved and securely fastened helmet.
[Back to Top]
3. Safety equipment
Helmets
All cyclists and passengers must wear a helmet approved by Standards Australia. Your helmet must be correctly positioned and securely fastened.
Warning device
Every cycle must have an effective bell or horn within easy reach.
Lights and reflectors
If you ride your bike between sunset and sunrise or during periods of low visibility, your bike must show a white headlight and a red tail light. Every bicycle must also always have a red rear reflector.
Brakes
Must be sound, strong and kept in efficient working order.
Clothing
Light coloured clothing is recommended, particularly when riding at night.
[Back to Top]
4. Buying The Right Bike
There are many pleasures and benefits in cycling – especially if you have the right bike. But with such a wide variety of bikes on the market, it can be tough to know which is the right bike for you.
Try to stick to the basics when selecting a bike, particularly if this is your first bicycle.
Function and fit are the most important qualities for a new rider to consider when buying. Many of the more expensive features go virtually unnoticed by beginner cyclists. Over time, as your interest and ability increase, more specialised bikes may suit your needs better.
The first step in buying the 'right' bike is to determine what type of bike will best meet your present and future needs.
If you're interested in casual recreation, exercise, or commuting to work or school, you will be well served by a basic recreational bike, a mountain bike, or a 'cross' or 'hybrid' bike.
The basic recreational bike usually has from 3 to 21 speeds and dropped or upright handlebars. A light weight recreational bicycle that has a light alloy or aluminium frame will increase your enjoyment of cycling immeasurably. Mountain bikes have wider tyres and upright handlebars. These bikes are designed to be ridden on- or off-road. Don't let the 'mountain bike' name fool you, though - these bikes are ideal for casual riding and occasional riders. If you want to do some riding on unpaved roads or riding on off-road trails a mountain bike is best. The latest style in bikes is now the hybrid or cross bike which combines all the best design features of lightweight recreational bikes and mountain bikes in a package optimised for fitness riding, exploring smooth unpaved trails and easy-going touring. Thanks to technology, the hybrid's wheels are big and rugged enough for medium duty off-road use. Almost all hybrids have upright handlebars to attract casual cyclists, but some models have dropped bars like the traditional road racing bike for more advanced riders. It is important that the bike fits you properly. One way to determine correct frame size is by straddling the top tube, the horizontal bar running from the seat to handlebars. You should be able to have your feet flat on the ground with 2.5cm to 5cm of clearance between the top tube and your crotch. Leave yourself 7-10cm clearance on mountain bike.
When you have narrowed your selection to a few bikes that fit and meet your needs, take each one for a short test ride. Generally, if you are looking at several comparably priced bicycles, there is little difference in the technical quality. So look for a bike that feels comfortable and manageable.
Finding the right size bike for a child is easy. A child should be able to stand astride it with both feet flat on the grond, with about 2.5cm clearance between the crotch and the top tube. On bikes with a sloping tube, a broomstick or something similar can be used to simulate a horizontal bar. Once the right size bike is found, the handlebars and seat can be adjusted for a comfortable riding position. Your dealer will make any adjustments to ensure that the bike is set correctly.
As with adult bikes, the more complex the machine, the more care it requires. Parents should ask themselves how much care their child is likely to give a bike. A child's first bicycle will not be forgotten. That first set of wheels gives a young person a new sense of freedom and mobility that will be cherished for a lifetime.
To ensure a positive introduction to cycling, it's especially important that a youngster's first bike be dependable, easy to control and fun to ride.
The best single rule for buying a child bike is to get one that fits. One that's too big so the child can 'grow into it' will be hard to mount and dismount, hard to control and unsafe. All bikes have some growing room built into them through adjustments to the handlebar stem and seat post.
[Back to Top]
5. Riding in traffic
Cyclists have always travelled on streets and highways for most of their riding.
Today, cyclists and motorists still depend on the same facilities - the road - to get from place to place. Fortunately, cycling on most town and city streets is enjoyable and relatively safe. Though many novice cyclists are intimidated by motor vehicles, the secret to safe and confident riding is knowing how to become a natural part of the traffic flow.
Riders should first become proficient in basic handling skills, such as shifting gears, stopping smoothly, turning rapidly and scanning behind quickly for overtaking traffic without swerving. Empty parking lots and quiet residential streets are good places to practice these skills.
It's easier to learn basic traffic cycling techniques if you understand that most road users operate predictably, following the rules of the road. Riding predictably is essential for cyclists if they are to use the road safely. Follow these guidelines
-Always wear a helmet. A helmet is compulsory and an insurance against head injuries.
-Be visible. Wear bright coloured or reflective clothing and, at night, use a bright headlight and tail-light.
-Ride in the same direction as traffic, so you will be where other road users expect traffic to be.
-Ride in a straight line and far enough from the kerb to avoid parked cars, gravel, broken glass, potholes, and other road hazards.
-Obey traffic signs and signals.
-Follow lane markings. This means turning left from a left-turn lane, going straight in a straight-through lane and turning right from a right-turn lane. Improper lane selection and position can put you at risk.
-Use clear hand signals to alert motorists and other road users what you intend to do. Cyclists should signal to be legal, to be courteous and to protect themselves.
-Initially, choose routes with fewer cars, slower traffic, and easy to manage intersections. Look for streets that are wide enough for cyclists and motorists to share the travel lane.
-Scan behind you and yield to overtaking traffic when changing lanes or even when changing positions within your lane.
-Each day, thousands of cyclists take to the roads for fitness, recreation and commuting. You can join them, but be safe. Always practise these tips when cycling in traffic.
[Back to Top]
6. Finding a good place to ride
Every community has places where the novice cyclist will feel comfortable riding - quiet streets, country roads or shared use bike and pedestrian paths.
For recreational riding or commuting in urban areas look for residential streets and less travelled routes that run parallel to main roads. An early morning ride in a residential area can be especially pleasant and will enable you to build the confidence needed to venture out into the countryside.
Country roads make some of the most pleasing of all bicycle routes. If there are no premapped bike routes in your area, or if there are some that you want to supplement, you'll find road maps helpful for planning. They show almost all roads outside built-up areas, and it is generally easy to spot little used roads by the route designation or type of road surface.
If you have a mountain bike, the search for quiet places to ride can include unpaved roads or trails in recreational parks or state forests. Check first with park authorities to see which trails are designated for cycling. Frequently, trails suitable for mountain biking are also used by hikers and equestrians. As a courtesy, cyclists should always give way to these users.
Bicycle clubs are a great way to scout out an area and meet kindred spirits. Nearly every city has a recreational club sponsoring bicycle rides on weekends and occasionally during the week. Most clubs offer short rides for beginners. Large bicycle groups also have mountain bike enthusiasts within their ranks who can help identify off-road riding opportunities.
[Back to Top]
7. Looking after your bike
Security
When leaving your bike, lock it to an immovable object. Keep a record of its serial number (usually stamped on the frame near the pedals) and a description to give to police if it is stolen.
Maintenance
Regularly check tyres, wheels, brakes, chain, lights and reflectors. Bicycles should be serviced at least once a year.
Registration
Registration is not required, but the Kiwanis Club and Neighbourhood Watch both have registration systems which make it easier to identify a stolen bike if it’s recovered.
[Back to Top]
|
