Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Bike Sense - Manual (Page 16)

B I K E S E N S E — T H E W I S C O N S I N B I C Y C L E O P E R A T O R ’ S M A N U A L
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 is needed at different speeds and under
different conditions. You will need considerably greater stopping dis-
tances during wet conditions. Also make sure you can stop in a
straight line.
Gear shifting
The closer your chain is to the frame of the bike, the easier it is to
pedal. This is called being in a lower gear. On the front (chainring)
that will be a smaller ring; on the back (sprocket) that will be a larger
cog. A high gear is the opposite: large ring in the front, small cog in
the back. Changes in the front will make a big change in your gear,
while changes in the back will make smaller adjustments.
The basic rule is that low gears are for slow speeds, climbing hills or
when you start from a dead stop. High gears are for faster speeds or
going downhill. Always shift into a low, easy gear before you stop.
Hand signals
Wisconsin state law requires bicyclists to use the same hand signals
as motorists. Hand signals are required within 50 feet of a turn.
Continuous signaling is not required if you need both hands to con-
trol the bicycle. Since signaling requires riding with one hand, you
should practice doing this while maintaining a straight line.
Remember, you must still check over your shoulder for traffic before
moving laterally or turning.
Stopping
On a bicycle with hand brakes, the front brake accounts for up to 80
percent of the stopping power during abrupt braking because forward
momentum puts most weight over your front wheel. For optimum
stopping power, shift your weight towards the rear and try to keep your
center of gravity low and towards the rear wheel. This, in addition to
using both brakes, will reduce the tendency for the rear wheel to skid
and will increase stability. You are also less likely to flip your bike.
Easier / lower gear
Harder / higher gear
16
left turn
right turn
alternate
right turn