GRAND Magazine - February 2009 - (Page 41) CheCk with the ABC QuiCk CheCk: AiR: Pinch the tires…they should be hard! BRAkeS: Make sure they work and aren’t rubbing the tire or sticking. CRANk/ChAiN: If there are problems with your gears or if the chain is loose, take the bike to a bike shop. Oil the chain regularly. QuiCk: Check “quick-release levers” and other bolts to make sure they are tight. tell youR gRANdChildReN to… For playback of video click on image. • Wear bright clothes. Put reflectors on the bike. (Children younger than 10 should ride on the sidewalk. But stay alert: Even if you’re just riding on a sidewalk, a car may pull out of a driveway into your path.) • Don’t wear loose pant legs, backpack straps or shoelaces that can get caught in the chain. Wear athletic shoes when you bike, and never go riding barefoot. Sandals, flip-flops, high heels or cleats won’t grip the pedals. • If you have to ride at night, wear light colors. Be sure there are reflectors on the front and rear of your bicycle (white on the front and red on the rear). • Use bike lanes or designated bike routes. • Always ride with your hands on the handlebars. • Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway or a curb. • Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals. When you pull out between parked cars, drivers can’t see you coming. • Ride on the right-hand side of the street. Never ride against traffic. • Don’t ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly. • Stop at all stop signs, and obey street lights. • Ride single file. • When passing other bikers or people on the street, pass to their left side and call out, “On your left!” • Alert pedestrians by saying, “Excuse me” or “Passing on your left,” or use a bell or horn. When your grandchild is ready, practice riding together to teach skills such as bicycling defensively, scanning around for traffic, looking back and listening for cars behind, proper lane positioning when turning, hand signaling and knowing where it is safe to ride for your grandchild’s skill level. Riding bikes is a fun, healthy way to spend time with the grandkids. But accidents do happen. FEBRUARY 2009 GRAND 41
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