Bicycle Safety Tips

The best way to avoid accidents is to be prepared and be aware of other vehicles around you. Avoid common bicyclist errors and common motorist errors committed around bicyclists.

Here are some safety tips for biking:

1. Obey traffic signs and signals - Bicycles must follow the rules of the road like other vehicles.
   
   
2. Never ride against traffic - Motorists aren't looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. State law and common sense require that bicyclists drive like other vehicles.
   
   
3. Follow lane markings - Don't turn left from the right lane. Don't go straight in a lane marked “right-turn only.”
   
   
4. Don’t pass on the right - Motorists may not look for or see a bicycle passing on the right.
   
   
5. Scan the road behind you - Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving. Some riders use rear-view mirrors.
   
   
6. Keep both hands ready to brake - You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra distance for stopping in the rain, since breaks are less efficient when wet.
   
   
7. Wear a helmet and never ride with headphones - Always wear a helmet. Never wear a headphone while riding a bike.
   
   
8. Dress for the weather - In rain wear a poncho or waterproof suit. Dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes. Wear bright colored clothing.
   
   
9. Use hand signals - Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, of courtesy, and of self-protection.
   
   
10. Ride in the middle of the lane in slower traffic - Get in the middle of the lane at busy intersections and whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic.
    
    
11. Choose the best way to turn left – There are two choices: (1) Like an auto: signal to move into the left turn lane and then turn left. (2) Like a pedestrian: ride straight to the far side crosswalk. Walk your bike across.
    
    
12. Make eye contact with drivers - Assume that other drivers don't see you until you are sure that they do. Eye contact is important with any driver which might pose a threat to your safety.
    
    
13. Look out for road hazards - Watch out for parallel-slat sewer grates, gravel, ice, sand or debris. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.
    
    
14. Use lights at night - The law requires a white headlight (visible from at least 500 feet ahead) and a rear reflector or taillight (visible up to 300 feet from behind).
    
    
15. Keep your bike in good repair - Adjust your bike to fit you and keep it working properly. Check brakes and tires regularly. Routine maintenance is simple and you can learn to do it yourself.

Grass Cutting Safety

Mowing the lawn can be a dangerous activity. Just look at the statistics. Each year there are more than a hundred thousand injuries due to lawn mowing. Mowing can be a safe activity – even a common activity if the following precautions are taken.

There are simple precautions that can be taken to help avoid these injuries:

• Wear Protective gear at all times, especially on the feet. Most injuries with lawn mowers occur to the feet while they are not protected.

• Do not mow up hills as the mower may roll backwards and create injury for the operator. Always mow across hills to ensure injuries are avoided.

• Have the blade sharpened by professionals – if you choose to sharpen the blade yourself it is important to wear protective gloves while sharpening and use short strokes while filing the blades.

• Never refuel a running mower this is dangerous. Gas is flammable and should not be heated and added to a running engine. 

• Never leave a mower running without turning it off. It is important especially with a self propelled lawn mower.

• Ensure that electric mowers have no frayed cords. Frayed cords could cause shock, or severe burns. It is important to be careful when running an electric mower to not run over the cord.

• Be sure to store fuel in recommended and approved containers to prevent fire hazards.

• Be sure to inspect the lawn mower before each use for safety, vibration and loose bolts. It is important to check the hardware of the mower, as well as any and all wires attached.

• Use a mower with a locking mechanism in case the mower gets away from the operator. A locking mechanism can be the difference in the causing of an injury.

• Remove all objects and debris from grass to ensure that flying debris doesn’t get flown up to hit the operator.

• Always turn off the mower and await the cessation of the blades before travelling over any surface other than grass.

• Do not allow children to operate a lawn mower. This is dangerous practise. Children younger than sixteen should not be allowed to

• Do not allow children to be passengers on ride-on lawn mowers. The child could easily fall and be run over by the mower.

• Clear the mowing area of pets and children before attempting to mow the lawn.

• Be sure that the operator is capable to handle the speeds of a self propelled mower. An operator who is not capable of maintaining the distance is putting themselves at grave risk of injury.

• Mowers should be refuelled and started outdoors. Gas is a very flammable substance and should be stored in proper containers and fuel never added to a recently running lawnmower. Always ensure that gas is added to a cool lawnmower – to avoid the risk of fire.

• Prior to attempting the sharpening of mower blades the lawn mower should be in the off position and the spark plug should be removed. Once the spark plug is removed the power source to the mower is disconnected. There is no chance of the mower accidentally starting in this case.

• Never mow in reverse, there is a chance that the mower could back onto your limbs causing bodily harm.

• Never ride a ride-on mower up a slope. This could result in the operator falling from the mower and causing grave injury. Riding mowers are at high risk to roll if driven at high speeds or on rough terrain.

• Always read the operating manual before performing any landscaping activities.

• A mower should never be left running and unsupervised. It could mow over cement, or other objects causing flying debris.

For additional information on lawn care or related topics please visit our lawn care article center.