A Comprehensive Handbook for Bicyclists: Rules, Laws and Safety Measures

Bicycling is one of America's favorite past times whether it is for recreational purposes or competitive purposes. Around 60 million people in the United States bike either for fun, competition, charity, or to commute according to the US Department of Transportation's 2009 survey. Although bicycling can be a safe past time, it is not without danger. In 2008, it was reported that over 52,000 bicyclists were injured while riding their bicycles. This includes both adults and children. Gaining knowledge of the rules, regulations, laws, and safety measures that should be taken will minimize bicycle related injuries and deaths. Learn more about bicycling, and how to stay safe with the resources below.

Safe Cycling Practices

• Go Triangle: Provides safe cycling tips, as well as pedestrian resources.
• Ride of Silence: Learn the rules of the road; get news and updates, as well as public service announcements.
• SLOBC: Safe cycling practices, as well as group riding information.
• AIDS LifeCycle: Learn how to ride with other people instead of just on your own, and the rules of riding safe.
• Cycle Helmets: Information on the benefits of using helmets while bicycling.
• Charles River Wheelman: Information on keeping safe while bicycling on the road.

Children and Cycling Safety

• Bike Smart: Youth information on safety, rules, and regulations when riding a bicycle.
• Safe Kids USA: Information on how to stay safe while on the sidewalk, road, or in a populated area for youth.
• IBike: Safety cycling rules for the different age groups of youth.
• Better Health Safety: Information for children on how to stay safe while riding bikes.
• IÕm Safe: Information on child bike safety, and a place to purchase safety banners, activity books, stickers, and much more to teach your child to stay safe while riding.
• Bump: Children targeting information on how to stay safe while cycling alone, or with friends and family.
• Bike for All: Safety laws, regulations, and tips to keep everyone safe while riding bikes.
• Kids Health: Safety information for kids and first aid tips for parents if something were to happen.
• NHTSA: Safe riding tips for children, and tips for adults to keep children safe while riding.

Cycling Injuries and Statistics

• MedicineNet: Facts and statistics on bicycle injuries relating to children. Safety measures children should take while riding bicycles.
• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: Statistics from various reliable sources on accidents among adults and children that are bicycle related.
• CDC: Information on bicycle related injuries with adults and children.
• AAFP: Facts about bicycle riding injuries, and statistics of them as well.
• NETS: Information and facts on bicycle related injuries and fatalities.
• Transportation Alternatives: Statistics on bicycle related injuries and deaths, as well as facts about various accidents and why they happen.

Bicycle Maintenance

• Seattle Bicycle Club: Informational list of what should be done maintenance wise during various intervals of your bikes life span.
• Baltimore Metropolitan Council: Tips for the maintenance of your bicycle.
• ASTM: Information on the regulations of bicycle standards, and how you should fix them.
• Kudu: Bicycle maintenance information and making sure all riding material is up to date.
• Bike Providence: Bike maintenance tips, and winter bike maintenance tips to keep safe.
• Jim Langley: Professional mechanic showing techniques to keep your bike in top shape.

Safety Accessories

• Bicycling Info: Guidelines to wearing a helmet correctly.
• CPSC: Information on why you should obey the safety accessory laws.
• Bicycle Universe: Information on the various uses of safety gear, and why you should have them.
• Bicycle Lighting: Various lighting techniques to keep you safe while riding.
• Bike and Pedestrian Planning: Information on how to keep everyone safe by age group.
• StreetGlo: Bicycle safety information on reflectors, and stickers so you're seen at night.

Bicycle and Helmet Laws

• IIHS: General laws for different states for bicycling.
• Helmets: Information regarding the various bicycle laws in the different states.
• GHSA: Rules and regulations of different states.
• World Health Organization: Important information on why you should wear a helmet while bicycling.
• SNELL: Information on the laws of helmets in each state, and the way the law is enforced, as well as penalties.
• American College of Emergency Physicians: Statistics of reasons why you should wear a helmet while riding a bike.

Rules of the Road for Bicycles

• Bike League: Signs, and signals for safe bicycle riding when out on the road.
• Be-Safe: Clip art images of the hand signals used while riding a bicycle in the road.
• League of American Bicyclists: The rules and regulations of the road while bicycling.
• Inland Empire Cycling: Various hand signals used while riding a bicycle.
• Bike Miami Valley: Hand signals and where to ride your bike on the road.
• IMBA: Information on how to keep safe while mountain biking.

General Cycling Links

• Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation: Research and statistics on various bicycle related injuries, fatalities, and laws.
• TCBC: Information about riding with a group, rules to obey, and guidelines to follow.
• Virtual Pediatric Hospital: Statistics, and information regarding children riding bicycles.
• AAP: Myths and facts about riding a bicycle.