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PART II
CHILD CARRIERS
WARNING
CHILD CARRIERS ADD WEIGHT AND RAISE THE
CENTER OF GRAVITY, MAKING BALANCE AND
CORNERING MORE DIFFICULT. IF YOU LOOSE
CONTROL, YOU AND YOUR CHILD PASSENGER
CAN BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.
We
urge you NOT to install child carriers on
bicycles. If you choose to install a child carrier,
have an experienced bicycle mechanic install it.
Install only on a compatible bicycle. If you insist
on using a child carrier we urge that you confirm
with both the carrier rack manufacturer and the
child carrier manufacturer that the two products
are safely compatible. Always use caution when
riding with a child carrier.
Some saddles are equipped with coil springs. If
you use a rear rack mounted child carrier there
is a risk that a child’s fingers could be injured if
trapped in the coil springs when the rider hits a
bump and the springs compress. Be sure that
the child cannot reach the springs when properly
strapped in the carrier.
We
encourage use of trailers for children. Be very
careful when towing a trailer. Remember that
braking distances increase, and the trailer will
track inside the line of the bicycle when making
turns. Children should always wear helmets
when riding in a child carrier or trailer. Use of
bicycle helmets on children is required by law in
many areas.
BICYCLES HAVE SHARP SURFACES
WARNING
BICYCLES HAVE EXPOSED SHARP SURFACES.
Exercise caution with chainrings and pointed,
aggressive platform pedals, as they have sharp
and potentially dangerous surfaces. Use caution
when working on your bike. If you slip or fall you
could be injured.
BAR ENDS
We
urge consumers not to install “Bar Ends” on
bicycles. Some handlebars are designed to take
the added stress of bar ends, others are not. Very
lightweight handlebars may be particularly poorly
suited for bar ends. If you want bar ends, consult
your
authorized dealer
about suitable choices,
read and follow instructions and warnings that
accompany the handlebars and bar ends, and inspect
the handlebars and bar ends regularly.
INSTALLING ACCESSORIES
Have all accessories mounted by your
authorized
dealer
. Be sure that any accessory you or your
authorized retailer fits to your bike does not block or
interfere with nationally required reflectors or lights.
WARNING
INCOMPATIBLE ACCESSORIES OR POORLY OR
IMPROPERLY MOUNTED ACCESSORIES CAN
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF
YOUR BICYCLE AND MAY BE UNSAFE.
