As the school year resumes, children will once again be riding their bikes to and from school. Sheriff McVicker of the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office provides some helpful reminders for students who will be taking to the sidewalks and roadways on their bikes.
McVicker warns bicyclists to avoid becoming creatures of habit and follow these basic rules at all times:
• Always wear a well-fitted helmet and keep both hands on the handlebars for safe steering.
• Go with the flow of traffic, not against it. Ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as other vehicles.
• Only one person belongs on a bike at a time! Do not allow another person to ride with you.
• Make sure you obey all traffic signs and signals. Stop completely at stop signs and always look both ways before starting out again.
• Always give proper signals. Keep a firm grip on the handlebars with your right hand and use your left arm to signal turns and stops. Extend your arm straight out to indicate a left turn. Bend your elbow with fingers facing the sky to indicate a right turn. Bend your elbow down so your fingers face the ground to indicate you are stopping.
• Avoid riding your bike at night. If you must ride at night, equip your bike with a good headlight and rear reflectors. Wear light-colored or reflective clothing so others can see you easily.
• Avoid wearing headphones while riding your bike. You need to be able to hear other vehicles and emergency sirens.
The sheriff explains that it’s easy for children to get into a routine in traveling back and forth to school. However, children should remind themselves and be reminded by parents that practicing safety every day can save them from serious injury.
“Remember that a bicyclist is like a motorist,” McVicker concludes. “You must be skilled like an automobile driver in handling the vehicle and should always be cautious when traveling the roads.”
