Archive for Education
Avoiding Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Interactions
Posted by: | CommentsTen Simple Rules for Successfully Sharing the Road
When riding on public roads
1. Follow the rules for cars:
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- Stop at Stop signs
- Signal your intended direction
- Turn left from the rightmost lane travelling in the direction you intend to go (that means use turn lanes; don’t turn left across traffic going in your direction)
2. Ride 2-3 feet from the curbing or edge of the road and out of the band of silt and sand that is present on the roads in the spring.
3. Be predictable – ride straight and use BIG gestures to communicate your directional intentions to those with whom you are sharing the road.
4. Be visible – dress brightly and use “blinkie” lights both fore and aft.
5. Wear a helmet – PERIOD!
6. Don’t put ANYTHING in your ears. They are your best sensory organ to alert you to a vehicle approaching from the rear.
7. Eat before you are hungry, drink before you are thirsty.
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- Dehydration occurs fast – especially in cooler weather. Hypoglycemia creeps up on you too. The effects of both are reduced mental acuity resulting in poor decision-making. Stay hydrated and fueled. If you “bonk” on a ride, stop and find a can of Coca Cola. There aren’t many better ways to re-start your mental metabolism than that.
8. Put an emergency app in your smartphone. It will text your location to your emergency contacts with one touch.
9. Always carry a form of identification.
10. Think, think, think!
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- Road, light and weather conditions change rapidly. Good decision making is your best asset for staying safe on your bicycle.
Ride Smart! Ride Safe!
Woonsocket H.S. After School Bicycle Club News
Posted by: | CommentsTeacher grabbed the wrong set of cleats on the way out the door, yesterday so no long-ish ride for the young men. 
What to do? ROCK DODGE PRACTICE!
Woonsocket High School Bicyclists Club
Posted by: | Comments
On Tuesday, January 31st, the Woonsocket High School After School Bicyclists Club took their first ride – after weeks of learning basic bicycling, maintenance and share-the-road skills. We covered 8.5 miles from the high school to the Blackstone Bike Path, down a bit and back. For first-timers sharing the road, and learning how to use their gears, they did an awesome job!
We are committed that this ride – and this program – marks the beginning of Woonsocket school children integrating health into their days by riding to school in groups.
The Woonsocket program is made possible by support from local and national grants and individual donors like you.
Please support our efforts to continue this program in Woonsocket and to grow it throughout Southern New England. Make a donation today at USOpenCycling.org and come to VeloSprints to participate and learn how you can help us help each other to be healthier, more productive and happier.
Why Wear a Helmet, Part II
Posted by: | CommentsA couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of wearing a helmet. Remember, helmets are for situations you cannot control…like wild Impalas. Though most Impalas in America are of the four-wheeled variety you will see, if you watch this through to the end, how a helmet can make a difference. Consider this: the argument against wearing a helmet in the setting in this video would go something like this: “Hey! Man! You’re riding on grass, what could happen?” Remember, helmets are for situations where even the best riding skills won’t help.
Even the best need helmets…
Posted by: | CommentsIvan Basso, winner of last year’s Giro d’Italia, crashed a few days ago while training for July’s Tour de France. Guess what, kids, Ivan WAS wearing a helmet. And you should too!
