Month: May 2019

Safe with the bike to work: How to do the bike check!

Finally spring! Finally the bike time! Maybe you can even do your commute by bike. But before you get on the bike after winter, think about road safety. The German Road Safety Council (DVR) gives tips on what you should definitely check before you get back on the pedals.

 

This point should include a bike safety check.

Good visibility:

 

Let’s see you! At the front of the bike, a white headlight and a white reflector should be attached;

Wear a safety vest or reflective clothing;

Equip your bike with a red tail light and a red reflector;

Two yellow reflectors per pedal make you visible to the front and to the rear.

Also, have two yellow spoke reflectors or white reflective stripes on the spokes, rims or tires.

Check that all reflective and retro reflective elements are still in good shape and still perform their task well.

 

Effective brakes: Stop safely!

 

Two independent brakes are required. When you apply the brakes, the wheel should gently come to a stop.

If the levers of the handbrake are pulled through to the handlebar during your break test, the brake must be readjusted.

On the grooves of rim brakes, you can see if you need new coverings. If you are unsure, compare the current pads with new ones.

Disc brakes also need new brake pads from time to time.

Check also the cables of brakes and gearshift for their functionality! Are the outer tracks undamaged and laid without kinks? Can you steer without the cables protruding too far? Do the trains move easily in the cases or do they need lubricant?

 

Intact tires: Ensure the right grip!

 

Especially after the winter break, you should inflate the tires.

Examine the coats of the tires accurately: see cracks, small stones or tissue show through, replace the tire better.

 

Right bell: Make yourself heard!

 

The bell must be bright and effective.

By the way, horns or other devices that produce sounds are not allowed.

 

Perfect chain: Cleaning and greasing are necessary!

 

Maintain your bike chain with chain grease or oil. So it uses more slowly.

A chain change is necessary if the chain lengthens and jumps over the pinions.

 

Your safe bike: Check it with a holistic view!

For details, do not lose sight of the big picture and look at your bike completely: Examine cracks, chafe marks or deformations more closely! Do the saddle and the handlebars fit tightly without twisting? Do you notice loose parts? Are all screw connections tight?

 

A final test drive is part of the bike check!

 

Also, bicycle repair shops do inspections. If you are unable to carry out the above tests and repairs yourself, schedule an inspection by a professional in a timely manner. Because just as when changing tires, the car repair shops, and bike repair shops are usually fully booked at the beginning of the season.

The light system for bikers

Stop lamp and indicators more visible to other users

Coupled with the lighting of the motorcycle, waterproof, warning, and fog functions.

 

Road-Light launches Clic-Light, a lighting system designed to improve the visibility of bikers on the road. Because PTW users are not always well-received by motorists, the start-up of Toulouse has devised a new accessory to make even more visible the stop-lamp and turn signals.

 

The Clic-Light is a wireless device that is worn in the back of the driver and synchronously reproduces the ignition of stop-lamp and turns signals, placing itself directly in the field of view of the user located behind.

 

Unlike fluorescent safety clothing and reflective tape, this system is active and therefore attracts more attention to reduce the risk of collision.

 

The LEDs that make up the device have two different intensities that adapt to the brightness to be well seen during the day without “blind” other drivers at night.

 

In addition, the Clic-Light has a function “Warning” and fog. The light module also detects when it is installed upside down and automatically reverses the flashing to avoid that when activating the turn signal to the right on the bike, the Clic-Licht starts to go to the left. Finally, it automatically goes to sleep after 5 minutes when not in use and does not move. Just shake it to restart it.

 

Weighing just over 300 grams, the Clic-Light is compatible with all types of vehicles. Rainproof and visible up to 300 meters, it has a range of 4 hours with the stop light on continuously. Road Light offers its luminous device for 179 euros.

An automotive supplier to conquer the German market

The company Luxor Lighting, created just 100 years ago in Angoulême, has just signed an exclusive contract with the German manufacturer Volkswagen, for the manufacture of reflex reflectors for the new Cargo van that will come out at the end of 2020. And it does not count stop there!

 

Reflex reflectors are signaling elements, reflective strips, which make it possible for a vehicle even when stationary, to be visible from the rear. There are only two retro-reflectors in Europe, one on each side. But to ride in the United States, it also requires reflex reflectors along the entire length of the vehicle.

 

The opening of the German market

This is already a significant market: 200,000 euros over nine years. But it is especially a first step for the equipment manufacturer angoumoisin, which already works for Volvo, Peugeot and Renault., And who could soon work for other models of the German mark. The only constraint required by Volkswagen: to install in the Angoulême plant airlock to avoid any pollution of the parts produced. In the coming months, Luxor Lighting is expected to create 15 jobs, exceeding 130 employees.

How to choose a good backpack for a child?

Mid-August is the trade signal that the time has come for school layettes. Shop shelves and special promotional islands get backpacks, shoe bags, notebooks, crayons and drawing blocks. However, many parents start shopping by buying a school bag, or rather a backpack, because they dominate the children’s back. Typical satchels also have the form of a backpack.

 

“The younger the child, the better the backpack should have,” says the saleswoman from the Manufaktura store. “Unfortunately, children carry real weights so they must have decent equipment.”

 

Often when buying a school backpack, the price decides. And these, especially in hypermarkets are very attractive. Simple backpacks without decorations can be purchased for PLN 9.90. The ones that cost up to PLN 50 are very popular. Usually, the price ranges from PLN 49-99. Experts advise against buying the cheapest backpacks, because these quickly lose fashion by pressing on the back and the spine, and are also torn under the weight of books and other school accessories.

 

“We invested in expensive schoolbags when the daughter went to the first grade, but after three years, when she goes to the fourth class satchel, we gave a neighbor’s daughter,” says Anna Janas, mother of 9-year-old Zuzia.

 

In one of the hypermarkets for the youngest, a wide selection of school bags with graphics from popular cartoons was prepared. The motifs from “Land of Ice” and “My Little Pony” for girls are still searched. The boys choose motifs from “Cars”, “Star Wars” or “Ben 10”. There are also backpacks (typical schoolbags) designed specifically to prevent posture disadvantages among children. They are equipped with profiled stiffening, adjustable, soft braces, as well as reflective tapes and a ventilation system. Older students, on the other hand, can buy more subdued backpacks from brands such as Nike or Puma. Backpacks in the colors of foreign football clubs like FC Barcelona are also popular.

Safe running in the evening. What to buy in Decathlon?

Running in the evening sets in a great mood. Previously known and constantly traversed routes suddenly transform into something that can re-perpetuate every sense, while the ubiquitous darkness combined with the urban play of lights makes us become nocturnal explorers. We are fully in the role of engaging the imagination, focusing on the sounds and passing distance. But this is not an easy world to guess. It requires special equipment and appropriate behavior. What to do to make the evening skiing trips safe, but also satisfying?

 

The shorter autumn days are able to pick up motivation even for the most avid runners. Heavy rainfall, pervading cold and quickly falling night form a running trio that will haunt us in the coming months. It is not an easy time to maintain the will to run, and given that Egyptian darkness forcing many to monotonous training along the same lit streets, there are more obstacles than incentives. At night, thousands of runners roam the city sidewalks and train one by one. Every runner who has at least one such season knows that only the best-lit streets are interested. And the evening running traffic in their regions is not conducive to physical activity, because too many runners are too much. The accumulation of all factors means that less and less often we go to training. How to get out of this running impasse? What to do in order to make running in the evening the same pleasure as training during the day?

 

Going tonight training is the best possible way to de-stress after a long and tiring day. Like no other sport, running ensures the charging of internal batteries and breathes life into freezing muscles. The body will regain its fitness again, and the influx of endorphins will improve the well-being and free the head from the rush of thoughts. Everyday duties will go into oblivion, which will help us get into training faster. In addition, regular physical activity contributes to the improvement of sleep quality. Effectively rested and rested, we will wake up more willing to perform the tasks of the next day. Running in the evening will also take care of the circulatory system, improving blood flow and the work of the heart. Many studies indicate that this sport not only makes life better but also lasts longer. In addition to any doubts, there are also changes in the immune system in the runner’s body. People practicing sports are much less likely to get sick, and their enhanced immunity prevents them from catching colds or infections.

 

Reading such an extensive list of the advantages of running, it is not difficult to maintain the enthusiasm for training during autumn fluff. But how to continue training in the dark? How to safely navigate after dark or night?

 

We should take the first steps to the wardrobe and choose training clothing with reflective fabrics. Unfortunately, there are stairs that are not so easy to climb. While the producers signal that the product is equipped with reflectors, these are definitely not enough to perform the right function. Placing light reflective tapes along the bottom edge of the garment, adding a reflective logo (which made of reflective heat transfer vinyl)and element around the arms, in practice results in small batches of material visible to outside road users. In theory, we assume clothes designed for running in the evening because it does not really help much. The best way out of the situation is to check what parts of the clothes are striking. Ingenious producers are preparing special collections of clothes for the night madness. Some time ago we tested one such series of products created by the Kalenji brand, which can be purchased in the Decathlon chain stores. But most importantly, this clothing guarantees incredible visibility when running in an underexposed place. Wide stripes of flares were created, which were placed, among others on the shoulders, back, chest. Care was taken to ensure that the reflections were around. You should look around for such practically designed running clothes!

Yellow vests in Poland?

“In a week, some employees of the Lublin Voivodship Office will wear a yellow safety vest with the inscription” Decent work, quite alms “. And they will perform their official duties in them, gives the Wednesday “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”.

 

Professionals are leaving the administration for private companies that offer them much better remuneration.

 

We read in the journal. A good situation on the labor market increases the number of vacancies in government institutions, today there are over half a thousand.

 

“You do not talk about it loudly, but in many offices, some departments no longer function, because people are free. During the recruitment, the requirements are reduced, but this also does not help,” says the head of NSZZ “Solidarność” in the Lodz Voivodship Office Robert Barabasz.

 

Some of the officials promise to protest in the footsteps of teachers and policemen, they plan to use sick leave en masse, but earlier they will try to fight for increases by wearing yellow vests with reflective tapes for clothing.

 

In this way, we want to pay attention to how little we earn. If this does not bring results, we will consider other forms of protest.

 

According to the daily, “the government, for fear of criticism, does not want to increase salaries for officials” the exception is people on managerial positions in the Information Systems Center for Health Care. Hike plans are also for the employees of the IT Center of the Ministry of Finance.

Police action “Safe weekend – May weekend”

There is a long, May weekend on the roads of the Silesian Voivodship. At this time, we have to expect more intensive checks from the police, which takes care of the safety of the travelers. On the roads of the whole region, more radars and police controls appeared than in May. “During this year’s long May weekend, as in previous years, an increased number of Silesian policemen, main policemen from traffic, watches over the safety of people going to rest,” police informed.

 

There is a long weekend on the roads of the Silesian Voivodeship. Therefore, more police officers take care of the safety of travelers from May 1 to 5.

 

“Along May weekend is a time of trips and meetings for many Poles. During this period, an increased number of Silesian policemen watches over the security of travelers,” informs the Silesian police.

 

On the roads of our province, there will be more policemen from traffic. Intensified speed checks will, therefore, be carried out.

 

“Police activities “Safe weekend-May weekend” have already begun on April 26, but the largest vehicle traffic can be expected from 30 April at May 6 to May 5 22. During the actions, the police officers check if the drivers are moving according to the regulations,” we learn from the officers.

 

In May, police on roads will surely control the speed and sobriety of drivers, as well as their adherence to other traffic regulations. During the long weekend, we can expect on the streets not only marked police cars, but also police officers operating in unmarked cars who will catch drivers who do not comply with traffic regulations.

 

Police appeals to drivers:

“Let us drive carefully, observing the rules, at a speed adapted to the conditions on the road, let us remember that road safety depends primarily on the drivers themselves – from their prudence, the ability to anticipate threats and respect for other drivers.

Drivers of two-wheelers, in addition to deriving joy from fast driving, should, first of all, remember about safety – their own and other road users. We appeal for safe driving. The motorcycle does not have airbags and seat belts, and the helmet and safety vest will only to a certain extent prevent injuries. That is why it is so important that motorcyclists are guided by reason while driving, and not a desire to experience an adventure at any price – because the price can be very high. “