inter be

Martin Miiierchip .

News Reporter
martin@nsnews.com

WEITER driving con-
ditions ar. especially
hazardous for the
hardy souls who are
still committed to two-
wheel transportation.

Shorter daylight hours are
often darker than normal
because of inclement weath-
er

Vulnerable cyclists
become even harder for
motorists to spot, while stop-
ping guickly is harder on 3
bike when brake blocks and
tire rims are wet.

Throw in’ early-morning
icy roads and commuting by
bike becomes even more dif-
ficult, not to mention more
dangerous, than usual.

The following is based on
a letter frem the National

~ Crime Prevention Council. It
was addressed to parents burt
the safecy tips apply to cyclists
of any age.

Dear Caring Adult,

Teaching children to ride
bikes is one of life’s most
memorable_ experiences. And
having to obey rules and reg-
ulations when riding bikes is
among a child’s first expo-
sures to obeying the law.

Bur cach year, more than
half a million bicyclists visit
the doctor or the emergency
room after crashing on their

bikes.

It’s important to teach
chiidren bicycle safety. Teach
them to:

@ Wear a helmet. Studies
have shown that wearing a
bicycle helmet can reduce
head injuries by up to 85%.
Select a helmet that fits snug-
ly and comtorvably.

8 Always wear a helmet your:
self to set a good example.
Helmets are legally required,
particularly for children.

@ Wear clothes thar make
them more visible. Clothing
should be light in colour,
preferably with reflective
strips, and close-fitring to
avoid being caught in the
bicycle’s moving purts.

@ Books and other loose
iteras should be secured to 2
properly installed carrier or
carried in a backpack, never
in the hands.

B Obey the rules of the road.

Let us send
your old eveglasses
to the developing worid.

OPERATION
EYESIGHT
UNIVERSAL

1-800-585-8265

Charitable Regestration
411906 8955 RRO!

NEWS photo Mike Waketletd

VALLIE Cromak of John Henry The Bicycle Man checks his tail light is working hetore taking to the road in wintery conditions. he is also

wearing @ helmet and a jacke? with reficctive material.

These include traffic signs,
signals, and road markings. A
bicycle wiil always lose to a
car in a confrontation and
some cyclists trigger “road
rage” by ignoring such cle-
mentary road rules as Stop
signs.

@ Look beth ways. Seven our
of ten car-bicycle crashes
accur at driveways cr other
intersections. A child should
walk his/her bicycl: across
busy streets and at corners cz
crosswalks.

& Smail children should cide
anly in safe places such as
parks, schoo! grounds, bike
trails, and sidewalks. Pre-
teens shouid ride only in
places with very little traffic
and with aduit supervision.

Re cautious if alowed to
bike at night. If a child is
older and is permitzed to ride
at night, ensure that he/she
wears reflective clothing or
materials (especially on
ankles, wrists, back, and hel-
met), he/she rides in areas
that are familiar and on

72000 Esteem Gi Sedan :

Centre console, dual air i+. dual cup holders. fold-down §

& rear seat, full wheel covers, power steenng. rearsdoor chikt-
safety locks, & rerote unk release.

streets that are brightly light-
ed, and his/her bike has a
headlight and front and rear

reflectors. Come to think of

t, this is pretty good advice
for adults, too!

® Protect bikes against theft.
A bieyele can be stolen from
just about any piace, but sim-
ple precautions can deter
would-be = thieves. —- Re-
member, most bikes that are
stoien were nat locked.
Aiways lock a bicycle
securely, whether gone for a
few minutes or a few hours.

. 2000 Esteem GI Wagon
Centre cansele, dual cup notders, fold-Jowrn rear seat
(sphe), front and rear inud flaps, full wheel covers. power
steering, rear wperhwasner, & 14" ull-seuson race ;

0 down 2 AS%

| * 24 48 mo lease

graph of the bike.

@ Mark the bicycle with an
engraver to deter thieves and
to help the police in identify-
ing and returning 2 stolen
bike to the owner. Use your
driver’s licence’ number
rather than your social insur-
ance number. A youngster’s
hikes should be marked with
a parent’s driver’s licence
number.

Use a U-lock, securing both
wheels and the freme to a sta-
tionary object (such as a post,
tence, tree, or bike rack) that
makes it impossible to lift the
bike off. For extra security,
add a chsin or cable with a
good padilocs.

Record the serial number
of the bicycle and keep it in a
safe place together with the
sales receipt and a photo-

Check battery, tast antifreeze,
check tires & tose visual inspection

mr OF,

Si Suen All above thee written B.C.AA., inspection —.99
teport, rotate tires, top tip all fluids
‘tan, off, Hiker,

Cre ol Bs top Ai etnias chock
report findings & tune with scope ~

edn ta tad wd {€ parte
also specials on 6 & 8 cy!

opB condition report + estimate, renlace §

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4 HEATING & COOLING
Check radiator, hoses, belts, drain & refill -
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+ materials & taxes
i, ALIGHMENT Finest cordiess Hunter computerized trent oa
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“Prices cover most cars a ash! trucks
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