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Health & Fitness

Dave Peterson: Hey, Kids! Be a Safe Bike Driver

Learn to be a safe bike driver and you can fly like the birds.

Hey kids! Uncle Dave here to encourage you to get out and have lots of fun on your bikes!  Let's first start with some tips from the League of Illinois Bicyclists about how to be a safe bike driver.  That's right, you are a driver of your bike, and I'd like you to be aware of the safest way to ride and the rules for bikes:

  • Ride on the right side of the road or trail. The right side of the road is the safer side to ride, because that is where drivers expect, and look for, other traffic.
  • Always stop at the end of a driveway — look left, right, then left again before starting.
  • Obey traffic laws—signs and signals, including stoplights.
  • Ride straight—no surprises.
  • Look back before turning left or if you have to move left to avoid something.
  • Don’t ride at night until your parents say you are old enough and THEN use lots of lights.
  • Ride single file if there are cars behind you.
  • Use hand signals to let drivers know what you are going to do.
  • Be careful of people walking — use your voice or a bell to let them know you are coming.
  • Look out for cars backing up — is a driver in the car? Are the engine or taillights on?
  • Don’t ride too close to parked cars.
  • Feel unsafe? You can always walk your bike.

In spite of being really careful and following all the rules, sometimes you might fall of your bike.  That is why it is really important that you always wear a helmet whenever you are riding.  There are lots of really great helmets out there in all sort of cool colors and styles.  You may have even received a helmet through one of the wonderful charity programs sponsored by local groups and hospitals. 

You can be a superhero by helping your little brother or sister pick out a helmet too.  And help Mom and Dad to remember to wear their helmets.  Sometimes parents forget because maybe they didn't have helmets when they were kids. Give them a hug, tell them you love them a lot and you want them around for a long time to see you grow up. (I'll pause here while you go get some tissues for Mom and Dad.)

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School will be out in a few weeks and I bet you are looking forward to a summer of zooming around on your bikes, skates and boards.  There is nothing like the feeling of freedom being self-propelled ...

Bicycling is the nearest approximation I know to the flight of birds.  The airplane simply carries a man on its back like an obedient Pegasus; it gives him no wings of his own.
Louis J. Helle, Jr., Spring in Washington

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I love bicycling.  It is almost like flying.  In fact, I have flown off my bicycle many times.
Dave Peterson, on reasons to wear a helmet

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