Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Spring 2018

GET A FREE BIKE SAFETY COLORING BOOK! Email feedback@skylakes.org with your name and mailing address, and we’ll send it out right away. Protect your noggin Be sure your helmet fits. For details, follow the link at skylakes.org/bikehelmets . Be seen. Be sure to have a bright white light for the front of your bike and a flashing red rear light so you can be seen, especially in low-visibility situations. Also, install front and back reflectors, and dress in bright clothes, even in daylight. (Neon will get you noticed!) Be good to your brain. Make this a family rule: Everyone wears a helmet with every ride—mom and dad too. Make sure the helmet fits properly or it may not protect you in a crash. See “Protect your noggin” for tips on proper fit. Follow road rules. Stop at stop signs and traffic lights. Just like motorists, cyclists must obey signs, signals and lane markings. Go with the flow. Ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic— never against it. Watch for hazards. Remind kids to watch for parked cars (doors can open suddenly) and cars backing out of driveways. Be ready to avoid potholes, rocks or other road debris. Check your gear. Do the brakes work? Is the chain tight? Are the tires properly inflated? A well-working bike is a safer bike. Ride a bike that fits. A bike that’s too big can be difficult for you or your kids to control. Check with a bike shop for tips on buying a bike. Ride on the right side of safety With a long winter behind us and the fresh air of being outdoors in the Klamath Basin ahead of us, it’s a good time to get rolling—on your bicycle. Whether you’re 6 or 60, a bike is your ticket to good-for-you fun. All you have to do is hop on, hit the pedals and go. But wait: not so fast! Even if you’ve ridden a bike a thousand times before, it’s worth checking out these safety reminders. 6 LIVE smart | Spring 2018