8
SECTION: II Safety
9.
Never carry a passenger, unless it is a small child wearing an
approved helmet and secured in a correctly attached child-carry-
ing trailer or a mounted child carrier.
10. Never carry anything which obstructs your vision or your com-
plete control of the bicycle, or which could become entangled in
the moving parts of the bicycle.
11. Never hitch a ride by holding on to another vehicle.
12. Don’t do stunts, wheelies or jumps. They can cause you injury and
damage your bike.
13. Don’t weave through traffic or make any moves that may surprise
people with whom you are sharing the road.
14. Observe and yield the right of way.
15. Never ride your bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
16. If possible, avoid riding in bad weather, when visibility is ob-
scured, at dusk or in the dark, or when extremely tired. Each of
these conditions increases the risk of accident.
C. Off Road Safety
1. The variable conditions and hazards of off-road riding require
close attention and specific skills. Start slowly on easier terrain and
build up your skills. If your bike has suspension, the increased
speed you may develop also increases your risk of losing control
and falling. Get to know how to handle your bike safely before
trying increased speed or more difficult terrain.
2.
Wear safety gear appropriate to the kind of riding you plan to do.
3.
Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with others,
make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you
expect to be back.
4.
Don’t do stunts, wheelies or jumps. They can cause you injury and
damage your bike.
5.
Learn and obey the local laws regulating where and how you can
ride off-road, and respect private property.
6.
You are sharing the trail with others — hikers, equestrians, other
cyclists. Respect their rights.
7.
Yield right of way to pedestrians and animals. Ride in a way that
does not frighten or endanger them, and stay far enough away so
that their unexpected moves don’t endanger you.
8.
Stay on the designated trail. Don’t contribute to erosion by riding
in mud or with unnecessary sliding. Don’t disturb the ecosystem
by cutting your own trail or shortcut through vegetation or streams.
It is your responsibility to minimize your impact on the environ-
ment. Leave things as you found them; and always take out
everything you brought in.
9.
Be prepared. If something goes wrong while you’re riding off-
road, help may not be close.
SECTION: IV Tech
25
2.
Some higher performance bicycles come equipped with pedals that
have sharp and potentially dangerous surfaces. These surfaces are
designed to add safety by increasing adhesion between the rider’s
shoe and the pedal. If your bicycle has this type of high-performance
pedal, you must take extra care to avoid serious injury from the
pedals’ sharp surfaces. Based on your riding style or skill level, you
may prefer a less aggressive pedal design. Your dealer can show you
a number of options and make suitable recommendations.
3.
Toeclips and straps are a means keep feet correctly positioned and
engaged with the pedals. The toeclip positions the ball of the foot
over the pedal spindle, which gives maximum pedaling power.
The toe strap, when tightened, keeps the foot engaged throughout
the rotation cycle of the pedal. While toeclips and straps give some
benefit with any kind of shoe, they work most effectively with
cycling shoes designed for use with toeclips. Your dealer can
explain how toeclips and straps work.
WARNING:
Getting into and out of pedals with toeclips and straps requires
skill which can only be acquired with practice. Until it becomes a reflex action,
the technique requires concentration which can distract the rider’s attention,
causing you to lose control and fall. Practice the use of toeclips and straps
where there are no obstacles, hazards or traffic. Keep the straps loose, and
don’t tighten them until your technique and confidence in getting in and out
of the pedals warrants it. Never ride in traffic with your toe straps tight.
4.
Clipless pedals (sometimes called “step-in pedals”) are another
means to keep feet securely in the correct position for maximum
pedaling efficiency. They work like ski bindings ... a plate on the
sole of the shoe clicks into a spring-loaded fixture on the pedal.
Clipless pedals require shoes and cleats which are compatible with
the make and model pedal being used.
Many clipless pedals are designed to allow the rider to adjust the
amount of force needed to engage or disengage the foot. Follow the
pedal manufacturer’s instructions, or ask your dealer to show you
how to make this adjustment. Use the easiest setting until engag-
ing and disengaging becomes a reflex action, but always make sure
that there is sufficient tension to prevent unintended release of
your foot from the pedal.
WARNING:
Clipless pedals are intended for use with shoes specifically
made to fit them and are designed to firmly keep the foot engaged with the
pedal. Using shoes which do not engage the pedals correctly is dangerous.
Practice is required to learn to engage and disengage the foot safely.
Until engaging and disengaging the foot becomes a reflex action, the
technique requires concentration which can distract the rider’s atten-
tion, causing the rider to lose control and fall. Practice engaging and
disengaging clipless pedals in a place where there are no obstacles,
hazards or traffic; and be sure to follow the pedal manufacturer’s
setup and service instructions. If you do not have the manufacturer’s
instructions, see your dealer or contact the manufacturer.
