Car Seat Safety Flyer

Bike Safety Flyer

Pedestrian Flyer

Phones Down Flyer

Biking is fun, healthy, and a great way to get around and be independent. But your bike is a vehicle, not a toy! So DRIVE your bicycle and follow these tips.

Remember to:

• Wear a Bike Helmet. Protect your brain, save your life. For more information see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fitting Your Bike Helmet.

• Adjust Your Bike to Fit. Stand over your bike. There should be 1 to 2 inches between the rider and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if using a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to back, and the height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.

• Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that the brakes work.

• See and Be Seen. Whether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night. Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding, to make yourselves the most visible to others. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.

• Control Your Bike. Ride with two hands on the handlebars unless signaling a turn. Place books and other items in a bike carrier or backpack.

• Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Look for hazards that may make you crash, such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs. If riding in a group, the rider in front should yell and point to hazards to alert other riders.

• Avoid Riding at Night. It’s harder for other road users to see bicyclists at dusk, dawn or nighttime. Use reflectors on the front and rear of the bike. White lights and red rear reflectors or lights are required by law in all States. 

Rules for Biking on the Road 

In all States, bikes on the roadway are considered vehicles, and bicyclists are the drivers of those vehicles, with the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists to follow the rules of the road, including: 

• Go With the Traffic Flow. Ride on the right side in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow – not against it.  As the driver of your vehicle on the road, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. 

• Yield to Traffic. Almost always, drivers on a smaller road must yield (wait) for traffic on a major or larger road. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and you are coming from a smaller roadway (out of a driveway, from a sidewalk, a bike path, etc.), slow down, look for traffic, and go only when it’s clear. Also yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. 

• 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. Look for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks, or anything that could make you lose control of your bike. Listen for traffic and avoid dangerous situations; don’t use personal electronic devices when you ride. 

• Look Before Turning. When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, and then signal 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 (like doors opening, or cars pulling out). 

Sidewalk versus Street Riding 

• The safest place for riding a bike is on the street, where bikes are expected to follow the same rules of the road and ride in the same direction as motorists. Sidewalks are designed for slower moving traffic like pedestrians. 

• If you don’t know the rules of the road, or your parents feel like you aren’t ready to ride on the street, avoid riding your bike near traffic altogether. 

• For anyone riding on a sidewalk: Check the law in your State or jurisdiction to make sure sidewalk riding is allowed. 

• Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways. 

• Stop at corners of sidewalks and streets to look for cars and to make sure the drivers see you before crossing. 

• Enter a street at a corner and not between parked cars. Alert pedestrians that you are nearby, saying, “Passing on your left,” or use a bell or horn 

For more information on bicycle safety, visit the NHTSA Web site at: www.nhtsa.gov. 

Know the Basics—Pedestrian Safety

1. Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

4. Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

5. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

6. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.

7. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.

8. Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

9. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

10. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety