By Ranger Brandy Hanusosky

It’s time to dig out the bicycles, dust them off, and tune them up. Bicycling is great for young and old, solo or family rides, and is good for you and the environment. But, did you know that more children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries than from any other sport? A properly fitted bicycle helmet is the single most important safety device for cyclists of all ages and can reduce head injury risk by as much as 85 percent. Keep reading to find out more ways to keep you and your family safe when the rubber meets the road (or park trail) this summer. Click here to learn more about biking in the parks.  

1. Always wear a properly-fitted bicycle helmet and be a good role model. Helmets should sit on top of the head in a level position and should not rock forward, backward or side to side when snugly buckled. See the Helmet Fit Test below.
2. Choose the right bike. You should be able to sit on the bicycle seat, hands on the handlebars, and have the balls of your feet touch the ground. 
3. Check all equipment at the start of every season. Are the brakes working properly, the gears shifting smoothly, and the tires properly inflated and secure?
4. Wear bright colors and use lights. Wear reflective or brightly colored clothes and ride bikes equipped with headlights, front and rear reflectors, and reflective rims or spoke reflectors if riding at dusk or dark.
5. Ride in safe locations like parks, shared-use trails, sidewalks, bike paths, or bike lanes whenever possible. Ride with the flow of traffic, in the same direction as other vehicles. Share the trail—Wheels Yield to Heels. Walk bikes across streets and intersections, look both ways before crossing, and make eye contact with drivers.
6. Follow the rules of the road. In Ohio, a bicycle is considered a vehicle and a bicyclist is deemed a driver. Therefore, every bicyclist is required to follow the same traffic laws that drivers of motor vehicles are. Obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings and use proper hand signals when turning. 
7. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for hazards as you ride. Be on the look out for cars, other bicyclists, objects, people and pets. If you must stop, move completely off the trail or roadway.
8. Pass others on the left. Give an audible warning with a bell or horn, or call out “On your left!” when passing other trail users. 
9. Have the proper gear. Wear closed-toed shoes and avoid long or loose clothing that could get caught in bike chains or wheel spokes. Prevent bike theft; get a good lock and use it. 
10. Don’t wear headphones or listen to tunes while riding. Cyclists need to be able to hear oncoming traffic and be fully focused on hazards.

Helmet Fit Test

• EYES Position the helmet on your head. Look up and you should see the bottom rim of the helmet. The rim should be 1 or 2 finger-widths above the eyebrows. 
• EARS Make sure the straps of the helmet form a “V” under your ears when buckled. The strap should be snug but comfortable. 
• MOUTH Open your mouth as wide as you can. Do you feel the helmet hug your head? If not, tighten those straps and make sure the helmet buckle is flat against your skin.