Wear a Helmet

• Wearing a helmet is the best thing you can do to be safe when you ride a bike.
• Bicycle helmets save lives. Most bike deaths come from head injury. Bike helmets can
  prevent head injury.
• In some states, the law says you have to wear a bike helmet to ride your bike.
• Bike helmets should fit like this: 1) sits evenly between the ears 2) sits low on your forehead

See and Be Seen

• Ride so cars can see you.
• Wear bright colors or clothes that reflect light
• at night so cars, buses, and trucks can see you.
• If you ride at night, get a headlight for the front of your bike
  and "reflectors" on the front and back of your bike.

Follow the Rules

• Bikes have to follow the same traffic rules and signs as cars.
• You must ride in the same direction as the cars are going.
• Ride your bike single-file.
• Signal when you want to stop or turn.
• Look out for holes, wet leaves, or cracks in the street. They can make you crash your bike.
• Ride away from the curb in case a car pulls out or someone opens a car door suddenly.

For additional information, please contact the NHTSA hotline at:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Source:
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
August 1997

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The American College of Emergency Physicians is a national medical society representing more than 19,000 physicians who specialize in emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to improving the quality of emergency care through continuing education, research, and public education.