Breakaway Cycling Adventure for Kids with Cancer

The best guideline is: Be Alert. Be Wary. Be Seen.

Be Alert: Scan ahead, center, left and right.

Be Wary: Pay attention to vehicles, pedestrians and others on the road.

Be Seen: Use your horn, hand signals and light to be seen by others on the road.


11 Tips for Safer Cycling

  • Wear your helmet. Follow this simple rule and you reduce your risk of serious injury by as much as 85 percent.
  • Keep your head up and look ahead, not at the ground. You need to see what is coming up so you have time  to react and maneuver.
  • One person per bike. Riding with unsecured passengers puts you at risk for injury to yourself and others.
  • Ride in single file with space between bikes.
  • Ride on the right side of the road, never against traffic. Otherwise, you are at risk for an accident – or a ticket.
  • Plan ahead if you will ride in a group. Agree on the route ahead of time. Have a plan on what you will do if separated by traffic.
  • If you will be riding in an unfamiliar area, check out local laws and rules first.
  • Avoid busy roads and peak traffic times on your route.
  • Before riding at night, ask someone to help you check your visibility to motorists.
  • Maintain the bikes in your household. Keep chains clean and lubricated and periodically inspect brake pads.
  • Communicate your intention to turn, stop, and change lanes using recognized hand signals.

What is a Hazard?

  • Both road and weather conditions can be dangerous to riders. Identifying potential hazards and paying attention to your surroundings will keep you safer.

Hazards on the road

  • Uneven, rough surfaces can cause falls.
  • An object in the road can cause a flat tire, loss of balance or unsafe maneuver. Avoid riding across unknown objects.
  • Slippery surfaces create a loss of traction which may cause you to lose control of your bike. Slow down or walk your bike across slippery surfaces.

Make safe choices

  • Do not wear headphones while riding.
  • Keep both hands on the handlebars, except when signaling.
  • Keep both feet on pedals.
  • In a group, ride single-file, with the flow of traffic.
  • Wear a brightly colored helmet and retro-reflective material on your clothing.
  • Use the correct hand signals.
  • Before entering a roadway: Stop. Look left. Look right. Look left.
  • Avoid riding at twilight or in the dark, especially on narrow roads and roads with speed limits that exceed 50 km/h

Please also check out these resources for more safety tips 

https://www.cyclingcanada.ca/sport/covid-19/news/cycling-canada-public-health-measures-core-principles-and-guidelines/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/what-on-earth-newsletter-cycling-covid-19-physical-distancing-1.5534086