Whether you're a biking beginner or a skilled cyclist, safety should always be top of mind when getting on your bike. As you ride during UCLA Bike Month, here are some tips to help you stay safe.
How to Wear a Helmet
We highly encourage wearing a helmet when riding a bike, as it can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. But it also has to be worn properly in order to be effective. Here are tips from the League of American Bicyclists on how to find a helmet that fits and adjusts correctly:
- Helmet Fit
- To find the right size helmet, put one on your head without fastening the straps.
- The front of the helmet should be level and two finger-widths above your eyebrows.
- Shake your head from side to side—there should only be a little movement.
- Helmet Adjustment
- The side straps should come to a point just below your ears. Move the small tabs on the side of these straps up or down until they are half an inch or less under your ear lobe.
- The chin strap should be about half an inch below your chin when your mouth is closed.
- Wearing a bike helmet with loose straps is the same as not wearing a bike helmet at all.
Basic Bike Maintenance
The League also recommends performing routine bike maintenance which is as easy as remembering "ABC Quick Check":
- A is for Air
- Make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure listed on the side of the tire by using a pressure gauge
- Check for damage and replace the tire if needed
- B is for Brakes
- Inspect the pads for wear and replace them if there's less than a quarter inch left
- Make sure that the pads are adjusted correctly and that they don't rub against the tire
- When the brakes are squeezed all the way, make sure that you can fit your thumb between the brake lever handlebar
- C is for cranks and chain
- Pull your cranks away from the bike and if they're loose, tighten the bolt
- Check that your chain is free of rust and gunk
- Quick is for quick releases
- Make sure quick releases are all closed, and that they're pointing to the back of the bike so they don't get caught on anything
- Check is for check it over
- Take a quick ride to check that it's working properly
If you need any help, it's always best to take your bike to a shop for assistance. Although bike shops are considered essential businesses in the City of Los Angeles, check before visiting to make sure they're open and for their hours of operation.
