12
1 Safety
Night Riding
• Important! Riding a bicycle at night is not recommended.
Check your local laws regarding night riding.
• Ensure bicycle is equipped with a full set of correctly
positioned and clean reflectors.
• Use a white light on the front and a red light on the rear.
Use lights with flashing capability for enhanced visibility.
• If using battery powered lights, make sure batteries are
well charged.
• Wear reflective and light colored clothing. Wear reflective
clothing and use safety lights for increased visibility.
• Ride at night only if necessary. Slow down and use familiar
roads with street lighting.
Hill Technique
• Gear down before a climb and continue gearing down as
required to maintain pedaling speed.
• If you reach the lowest gear and are struggling, stand up on
your pedals. You will then obtain more power from each
pedal revolution.
• On the descent, use the high gears to avoid rapid pedaling.
• Do not exceed a comfortable speed; maintain control and
take additional care.
• Braking will require additional distance. Initiate braking slowly
and earlier than usual.
Cornering Technique
• Brake slightly before cornering and prepare to lean your body
into the corner.
• Maintain the inside pedal at the 12 o’clock position and
slightly point the inside knee in the direction you are turning.
• Keep the other leg straight, do not pedal through fast or tight
corners.
• Decrease your riding speed, avoid sudden braking and
sharp turns.
Safe Riding Rules for Children
• Many states require that children wear a helmet while cycling.
Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Do not play in driveways or the road.
• Do not ride on busy streets.
• Do not ride at night.
• Obey all the traffic laws, especially stop signs and red lights.
• Be aware of other road vehicles behind and nearby.
• Before entering a street: Stop, look left, right, and left again
for traffic. If there’s no traffic, proceed into the roadway.
• If riding downhill, be extra careful. Slow down using the
brakes and maintain control of the steering.
• Never take your hands off the handlebars, or your feet off the
pedals when riding downhill.
Schwinn Folding Bicycle Manual.indb 12
7/1/14 3:58 PM
