15
Safety
3.3.2.1
Bar ends
The use of bar ends in road traffic is associated with risks. Bar ends
position your hands further away from the brake levers and can
lead to accidents in hazardous situations.
Bar ends are additional handles at the end of the standard handle-
bars, which can be used to adopt a better riding position, e.g. on
particularly steep ascents.
3.3.2.2
Triathlon handlebar extensions
Triathlon handlebar extensions are used to allow aerodynamic
positioning on the bicycle, for example, in triathlons and time trials.
Triathlon handlebar extensions may only be retrofitted to non-mo-
torised bicycles.
The triathlon gear levers are often on the handlebars. The brake
levers are at the ends of the standard handlebars. When the bicy-
cle is ridden in an aerodynamic position, the brake levers are out
of the rider’s immediate reach.
•
Keep off the road while you familiarise yourself with the han-
dling of triathlon handlebar extensions and the change of grip
required to reach the brake levers.
•
When practising with the handlebars, eliminate other potential
hazards such as inexperienced use of clipless pedals.
•
Adapt the way you ride to suit the changed handling of the
bicycle.
Fig.: Triathlon handlebar extensions (example)
1 Gear lever
2 Brake lever
1
2
3.3.3
additional regulations
For use in road traffic, bicycles must be equipped with two brakes,
which operate independently of one another, and a bell.
