Easy rider how to stay safe while biking

Monique Jones, Editor-in-Chief
Published On: 09/30/2008

As you have probably noticed, biking is one of the biggest modes of transportation for UAB students. If you are thinking about taking up biking, consider a few tips from the “UAB Biking User’s Guide”:

Make sure to wear
a helmet

Wearing a helmet is highly important, since head injuries are the leading cause of death in bicycle accidents. Make sure the helmet fits, and adjust front, rear, and chin straps. Front and rear straps should meet at a point just below and in front of your ears, and the chin strap should fit snugly and securely against the back of the chin near the throat.

Register your bike

Having a registered bike will ensure that you might be able to get your bike back if it happens to get stolen. You can register your bike at UAB Police Special Operations, 1633 11th Avenue South.

Always lock your bike

Never think that just because your bike is parked in a bicycle rack that it will be safe. Even if you are going to be away only for a minute or two, lock your bike. The biking guide recommends that you use a cable lock, along with a u-lock to make sure your wheels and seat are safe. Also, make sure that you don’t lock your bike onto handicap rails, or the police will impound your bike.

Know how to avoid
simple accidents

Some people might think that riding a bicycle is just asking to have an accident, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Learning about types of accidents — and how to avoid them — is the key to being safe on the road.
— A left-turn accident involves the driver of a car making a left turn directly in front of the cyclist. Make sure to make eye contact with the approaching driver before the driver turns. Pointing to the driver to indicate your intended route can also help the driver know what you are going to do. Otherwise, always assume the driver does not see you.
— Ride at pedestrian speed when crossing a street in a crosswalk. Going at this speed will help drivers see you and give them a chance to stop before or while you are crossing.
— A right-turn accident occurs when the driver passes a cyclist and makes a right turn, cutting the cyclist off. Make sure to keep to the center of the lane when approaching an intersection because this will help the driver avoid passing you.
— Avoid parked-car accidents by watching for open doors on the parked cars ahead of you. Also, watch for any visible heads through the rear window, and brake lights. Try to keep as far away from parked cars as possible.

Travel in the same
direction as other cars
in order to prevent
accidents

Going in the same direction as other cars will help minimize accidents. There should never be more than two cyclists alongside each other on the road, unless there is a path specifically made for bicycles.

Be flashy

Make sure to be as visible as possible when you are riding your bike. Put a headlight on your bike, as well as reflectors, and a rear light. Wear light colored clothes with reflective tape.

Eye contact is key

Always make sure drivers know where you are in order to reduce your chance of an accident.

Apply hand signals

Hand signals to the cyclist are like the car driver’s turning lights. Make sure to signal your stops and turns ahead of time, and always check over your shoulder to make sure it is safe to do what you intend to do.

Always be vigilant;
never be caught
off guard

Part of traveling — either in a car or on a bike — is to be prepared for what you least expect.

These tips should make your bicycle usage much more enjoyable. To pick up a copy of the “UAB Biking User’s Guide,” complete with a biker’s map of the campus, visit UAB Parking and Transportation Services at 608 8th St. South, Birmingham, Ala. You can also reach them by phone at (205) 975-627,7 or at their Web site, www.parking.uab.edu. Happy biking!

Email: uabkscope@yahoo.com