10
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 4.C.
E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous
than riding during the day. A bicyclist is very difficult for
motorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore, children
should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults
who chose to accept the greatly increased risk of riding
at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra care both
riding and choosing specialized equipment which helps
reduce that risk. Consult your dealer about night riding
safety equipment.
!
WARNING: Reflectors are not a substitute for required
lights. Riding at dawn, at dusk, at night or at other times
of poor visibility without an adequate bicycle lighting
system and without reflectors is dangerous and may
result in serious injury or death.
Bicycle reflectors are designed to pick up and reflect
street lights and car lights in a way that may help you to
be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
!
CAUTION: Check reflectors and their mounting
brackets regularly to make sure that they are clean,
straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have your
dealer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or
tighten any that are bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reflectors are
often designed as brake straddle cable safety catches
which prevent the straddle cable from catching on the
tire tread if the cable jumps out of its yoke or breaks.
!
WARNING: Do not remove the front or rear reflectors
or reflector brackets from your bicycle. They are an
integral part of the bicycle’s safety system.
Removing the reflectors may reduce your visibility to
others using the roadway. Being struck by other vehicles
may result in serious injury or death.
The reflector brackets may protect you from the brake
straddle cable catching on the tire in the event of brake
cable failure. If a brake straddle cable catches on the
tire, it can cause the wheel to stop suddenly, causing you
to loose control and fall.
If you choose to ride under conditions of poor
visibility, check and be sure you comply with all local
laws about night riding, and take the following strongly
recommended additional precautions:
• Purchase and install battery or generator
powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory
requirements and provide adequate visibility.
• Wear light colored, reflective clothing and
accessories, such as a reflective vest, reflective arm
and leg bands, reflective stripes on your helmet, flashing
lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... any
reflective device or light source that moves will help you
get the attention of approaching motorists, pedestrians
