Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Bike Sense manual

Bike Se n se THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL A GUIDE TO THE RULES OF THE ROAD, BICYCLE HANDLING, TRAFFIC SKILLS AND THE ENJOYMENT OF BICYCLING LIFE BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Page 1[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL This booklet is published by Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin 106 E. Doty St., Ste 400 P.O. Box 1224 Madison WI, 53701-1224 608-251-4456 info@bfw.org www.bfw.org ALWAYS Wear a properly fitted helmet Do a safety check on your bike before riding Obey all traffic laws Be visible Be predictable Be [...]

3 Why bicycle? 5 Equipment 6 Visibility 13 Bicycling & traffic skills 15 Who can you contact? 27 Public Transit 29 Crashes 30 Avoiding Crashes 32 Wisconsin Bicycle Laws 33 Bicycle security 35 Trail Ettiquette 37 Two-Minute Bike Check 38 Bicycling Resources & Advocacy 39 Contents BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:46 PM Pa[...]

4 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Wisconsin State Statues state that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. To do this, bicyclists must understand how to operate their bicycles as vehicles and how they fit into the flow of traffic. Bike Sense provides information on traffic laws an[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 5 Bicycling is fun. Bicycling is healthy. Bicycling is low impact exercise. Bicycling is practical and cost effective. Bicycling is good for the environment. Bike Sense is designed to make your bicycling safe and enjoyable. Enjoy the ride! energy levels. Bicycling can improve personal health, [...]

6 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL To ride your bicycle safely and efficiently it is important to have all equipment operating smoothly and properly. Your Bike What to consider when buying a bike: What type of bike to buy depends on a number of factors. The best advice is, “Talk to your local bike shop staff.” They will h[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 7 The right size bike and proper adjustments are important for both adults and children The right size bicycle is easier to control and more comfortable, caus- ing less fatigue. Your local bike shop can help you choose, adjust and equip the right bicycle for your needs. Does Your Bike Fit? You[...]

8 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Bicycle brakes work less efficiently when they are wet. Aluminum rims have much better braking performance than steel rims. road or street riding, a one-inch to three-inch space is safest. If your bike has no top tube or a slanted top tube, ask your bicycle store’s staff to size you. Frame[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 9 Regular maintenance and inspection are important for bicycle safety. seat forward or backward. You can also change to a shorter or longer handlebar stem. Don’t raise your handlebars so high that less than two inches of your handlebar stem extends into the frame. If you have to raise your h[...]

10 After dark, bicyclists are required to have a front headlight visible for 500 feet and a rear reflector visible between 50–500 feet requirements. This is discussed further in the chapter on visibility. Tires Narrow tires inflated to higher pressure provide less rolling resist- ance, and therefore easier pedaling on hard surfaces. Fat tires pro[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 11 Proper tire inflation and chain lubrication will improve your comfort and performance Bell A bell or horn is useful as a warning and as a courtesy to alert pedes- trians and trail users of your approach. Remember that a bell or horn will probably not be heard by motor vehicle operators. Reg[...]

12 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Clothing Wear, and carry, layers of clothing, including a lightweight, wind- proof outer layer. By adding or subtracting layers, you can keep your body temperature constant, and adjust to changes in the weather. As a general rule, start your ride fairly cool. You will warm up quickly once y[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 13 As a narrow vehicle, bicyclists can be less visible to motorists. It is therefore extremely important for bicyclists to use every means possible to make themselves conspicuous. Position yourself where motorists are looking The Wisconsin State law requires bicyclists to keep to the right, bu[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL It is especially important to increase visibility to others after dark, at dawn, or dusk, or in bad weather, such as rain, fog or snow. forks and rear stays, wheels, pedals, helmets, wrists and ankles. Reflective bands or lights on wrists make your hand signals more visi- ble. Reflective mater[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Always make hand signals well in advance of any turn to increase communication with other road users. Practice stopping as quickly as possible to get a feel for how much distance is needed at different speeds and under different conditions. Consider registration in an approved bicycling course[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Ride Defensively. The single most important rule is to remain alert and be prepared for unpredictable moves or mistakes by others. It is important to always keep both hands on the handlebars when applying the brakes. Practice stopping as quickly as you can to get a feel for how much distance i[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 17 The law requires traffic moving less than the normal speed of traffic to keep as close as practicable to the right. This does not mean hugging the curb or roadway edge. Ride on the right, in the same direction as other traffic. Ride no closer than 3 feet from parked cars to avoid being hit [...]

Right way Wrong way Motorists’ field of view Motorists’ field of view BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL If there is no shoulder or bike lane and the curb lane is narrow, bicyclists may chose to use the whole lane by riding in the center of it. This can be safer than riding far to the right, which may encourage motorists to[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 19 When you approach an intersection, ride in the right-most lane that takes you where you want to go. Watch for vehicles turning across your path and be prepared to avoid them. Always enter intersections either ahead or behind vehicles in your lane. Parked cars Ride no closer than three feet [...]

20 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Never make a left turn from the right side of the road, even if you are in a bike lane. If you cannot get into the proper lane position to turn left, make a pedestrian-style left turn. Ensure that you are away from the curb to increase your visibility. Avoid entering an intersection on a ye[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 21 When overtaking slower traffic, it is safer to pass on the left. Do not pass drivers on the right if there is a driveway or intersection where they could turn in front of you. before turning. If you are riding in a bike lane, or on a road with sev- eral lanes, you need to look and signal ea[...]

22 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Rain makes roads, metal and paint slippery, especially after a long dry period. Slow down and leave extra room to stop. Visibility is poor in wet weather. Ride defensively and increase your visibility When NOT to pass on the right: • when traffic is moving; • when there is a street, dri[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 23 Brakes work less efficiently when wet, especially during initial exposure to wet conditions. Black ice is particularly dangerous since it is hard to see. It is most common on bridges, metal surfaces and shady areas. Large vehicles traveling at high speeds create varying degrees of air tur- [...]

24 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Special care should be taken when transporting small children by bicycle. All children should wear an approved bicycle helmet and should be secured by a seat belt system when in a trailer or bicycle child seat. test their stopping power before heading into heavier and faster traffic. Dry ri[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 25 tion and proceed when it is safe to do so. You may also dismount and cross as a pedestrian. Report the malfunctioning signal to your traffic engineering department. Carrying children Special care should be taken when transporting a child by bicycle. There are a number of options available f[...]

26 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Some jurisdictions allow riding on the sidewalk, but several studies have shown that bicyclists face a far greater risk of collision on the sidewalk than on the roadway. On multi-use paths, bicyclists must yield to slower users and give an audible warning when passing. Headphones Because he[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 27 Bicyclists are a legitimate and recognized part of traffic, and they have a legal right to safe riding conditions on our roads. There are individuals at the local, state, and national level who can help you. Who can you contact? While bicycle commuters may sometimes feel embattled and overl[...]

28 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Call your community’s planning or traffic departments to ask who is responsible for bicycle planning and safety. Your voice is important. Wisconsin DOT www.dot.state.wi.us/modes/bicycles.htm State Bicycle Coordinator Wisconsin Department of Transportation 4802 Sheboygan Ave. PO Box 7913 M[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 29 The integration of bicycles into existing and planned transit systems is a highly effective way to expand the range of travel possible on two wheels. Loading Bikes Prepare your bike for loading. Remove water bot- tles, pumps and other loose items that could fall off while the bus is in moti[...]

30 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles Raise the Support Arm off the wheel. The Support Arm automatically folds down to a secure position. Lift your bike out of the bike rack. Fold up the Bike-Rack-for-Buses if there are no bikes on the rack and no[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 31 In general, bicycle–motor vehicle crashes involving child bicyclists tend to be caused by an error on the part of the bicyclist. In crashes involving adult bicyclists, the crash is more likely to be caused by an error on the part of the motorist. driver's license number, license plat[...]

32 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL The bicycle is defined as a vehicle under Wisconsin Statute. Follow the same rules of the road as you would if you were driving a car. Information Center] Whatever the true number of bicycle crashes, the number is dwarfed by the number of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities each[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 33 A bicyclist riding at night must use a white front light and a red rear reflector govern bicyclists are contained in the Wisconsin Vehicle Code. A copy of the information below is available as a card that can be carried in your bike bag or jersey. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Transpo[...]

34 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL • Hand signals are required within 50 feet of your turn. It is not required continuously if you need both hands to control the bicycle [346.34(1)(b)] Passing • A motorist passing a bicyclist in the same lane is required to give the bicyclist at least 3 feet of clearance, and to maintain[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 35 front wheel to a bike rack or other object that can- not be moved. Best locations are in busy pedestri- an areas visible from many vantage points. At home keep your bicycle out of sight and dry. Never leave your bike unlocked for even a short time. Keep a description of your bike and its se[...]

36 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 6. Grab the crankarms and try to push them in and out to check the crank arms and bearings for looseness. There should be no lateral play in the crank axle. Also check that the pedals are screwed in all the way, flat against the crankarms (note: there is a left and a right pedal, the left p[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 37 • Whether you are walking, biking, jogging, or roller blading, stay on the right side of the path except to pass. • Faster users must yield to slower users. When approaching another user, slow down and give the person plenty of space. • Pass on the left. Clearly alert others before pa[...]

38 BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin… Help Us Make Wisconsin a Better Place to Bicycle! Please join us today! ❑ $15 Limited Income ❑ $25 Basic (free map) ❑ $35 Supporter (free map) ❑ $50 Advocate (free map and extra gift!) ❑ $100 Sustaining (extra gifts!) ❑ $500 Legacy (much mo[...]

BIKE SENSE —THE WISCONSIN BICYCLE OPERATOR’S MANUAL 39 Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin welcomes all comments, suggestions, and additional bicycling information for Bike Sense from across the state. To reach us, or to order copies of the manual, contact: Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin 106 E Doty St, Ste. 400 PO Box 1224 Madison, WI 53701-1224 6[...]

THE 5 BASIC PRINCIPLES: Maintain your bicycle in good working order. Be as visible as possible to others. Learn the skills needed to control your bicycle. Bicycle in traffic safely and predictably. Know and obey the rules of the road. BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.qxd 4/27/2004 8:49 PM Page 40[...]