Biking Tips

These biking Tips are being brought you by Bardic Bikes:

1 . Remember it is the law that you have lights on both front and rear of your bike as well as reflexive tape on the forks.  

“HTA 62(17) – Lights – a bike must have a white front light and a red
rear light or reflector if you ride between ½ hour before sunset and ½
hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red
reflective tape on rear forks. Set fine: $20.00″  Source: Cycling Skills: Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling

2. It is the law that you have a bell or horn on your bike to announce your approach. Also it is courteous to shout out what side you will be passing when you approach or  are overtaking  another cyclists or pedestrians. (e.g “Passing on your/the left”)

“HTA 75 (5) – Bell – a bike must have a bell or horn in good working
order. Set fine: $85.00″  Source: Cycling Skills: Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling

3. Always use your hand signals. 

Photo Source:  Cycling Skills: Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling

4. Put your cellphones away.  Just like driving it is very dangerous to text or talk on a cellphone. So put those phones away and if and when you need to use them pull over into a safe location before using them.  Safety First. 

 

 

5.  Remember that when biking in a large group to ride in single file.

• Ride in single file on two-lane roads or when traffic
is heavy on multi-lane roads.

• Keep at least one metre apart from other cyclists
in the group and keep several lengths apart when
going downhill at high speed.

• If you are travelling in a large group, break up into smaller
groups of about four to six. Keep about one kilometre
between groups to allow traffic to pass. 

Source: Cycling Skills Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling

 

6. For Biking in Wallaceburg Ken suggests.  When riding east on James Street, stay to the left of the left lane to avoid the opening of car doors on the right side of the right lane.

7. To get the best quality of a ride one must remember to oil their Chains.  On way to remember is always oil your chain in the Spring when you pull your bike out for it first ride of the season, then mid summer then when you put your bike away for the season. This will keep your chain in optimal performance.  

More tips will be added each week.  Please share your tips in the comment section and check out the Cycling Skills: Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling handbook all your biking laws and tips. Also for your young children check out The Young Cyclist’s Guide  for a child friendly handbook.