Koon's watch

Bicycling is fun, healthy and a great family activ ity. But a bicycle isn’t a toy; it’s a vehicle!

There are a number of things you can do to prevent a crash, and protect your brain if a crash occurs.

• Wear a Bicycle Helmet. Everyone – at every age – should wear bicycle helmets.

• Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between the rider and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if using a mountain bike.

The seat should be level front to back, and the height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be level with the seat.

• Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that the brakes work.

• See and Be Seen. Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean they can see you.

• Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Look for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves and dogs.

Be courteous – allow at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclists on the road. Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling from a parking space. And yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be especially watchful for cyclists when making turns.