With the new school year beginning this Thursday, kids will be traveling to school in a number of ways and bicycling is one of them. The following are tips to consider when your children are riding their bike to school or when anyone is riding their bicycle on the roadway.

• ALWAYS wear a helmet.
o Studies show helmets reduce bicycle injuries by 85%
• Wear clothing that makes you more visible when riding your bicycle.
• Avoid biking during hours of darkness.
o As the days get shorter it may be tempting to ride your bicycle in the dark, however, it is far more dangerous to ride in the darkness than in daylight.
• Go with the Flow
o Ride on the right side of the roadway in a predictable path. Riding against the traffic puts you where motorists don’t expect you. They may not see you. Young children typically are not able to identify and adjust to many dangerous traffic situations and should not ride in the street.
• Obey all traffic laws
o Bicyclist must obey the same rules as motorists while operating their bicycles in the roadway.

We also ask motorists to be aware of bicyclists (both children and adults) while operating their vehicles. If they are going to pass a bicycle be sure and give plenty of room to the cyclist and ensure that there is no oncoming traffic when passing.