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5.5. Wet Weather Riding
WARNING:
Wet weather impairs traction, braking and visibility, both
for the bicyclist and for other vehicles sharing the road. The risk of
accident is dramatically increased in wet conditions.
Under wet conditions, the stopping power of your brakes (as well as
the brakes of other vehicles sharing the road) is dramatically reduced
and your tires don't grip nearly as well. This makes it harder to
control speed and easier to lose control. To make sure that you can
slow down and stop safely in wet conditions, ride more slowly and
apply your brakes earlier and more gradually than you would under
normal, dry conditions. See also Section 6.3.
5.6. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is a lot times more dangerous than riding
during the day. Therefore, children should never ride at dusk or at
night. Adults should not ride at dusk or at night unless it is absolutely
necessary.
WARNING:
Riding at dusk, after dark or at times of poor visibility
without a bicycle lighting system that meets local and state laws and
without reflectors is dangerous and can result in serious injury or
death.
Even if you have excellent night vision, many of the people with
whom you're sharing the road don't. A cyclist is very difficult for
motorists and pedestrians to see at dusk, at night, or at other times
of poor visibility. If you must ride under these conditions, check and
be sure you comply with all local laws about night riding; follow the
Rules of the Road and of the Trail even more carefully, and you must
take the following additional precautions:
Before riding at dusk or at night
Take the following steps to make yourself more visible:
• Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned
and securely mounted reflectors (see Section 4.2).
• Purchase and install an adequate battery or generator powered
head and tail light.
• Wear light colored, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a
reflective vest, reflective arm and leg bands, reflective stripes on your
helmet, flashing lights ... any reflective device or light source that
moves will help you get the attention of approaching motorists,
pedestrians and other traffic.
• Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the
bicycle does not obstruct a reflector or light.
While riding at dusk or at night
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid areas of heavy traffic, dark areas, and roads with speed limits
over 35 mph/km.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on routes already familiar to you.
