Author: stellaqi

Cyclists invade the cycle paths of large cities … But there are some rules to follow to ride safely and with serenity!

 

Whether you are an everyday cyclist or a Sunday cyclist, there are rules to follow to circulate safely! Compulsory or optional equipment, traffic rules, penalties, maintenance of your mount. Many financial aids are now available for the purchase or maintenance of your bicycle. But let’s go back in detail to the traffic rules and the equipment you must have to drive safely! Certain breaches are punishable by fines ranging from € 11 to € 90. Do not take his advice lightly, it is for your safety and that of others!

 

Mandatory equipment:

Before getting on your bike, you will have to go around the cycle to be sure that it guarantees you to ride safely.

 

Two front and rear brakes

An audible warning device that can be heard at least 50 m away

A yellow or white front light and a red rear light to be used at night, of course, but also during the day when visibility is insufficient.

Red reflectors at the rear and white at the front. You need a white reflector in front and a red one behind.

The reflective vest to the standards in force for the driver and his passenger. The waistcoat must be worn at night and outside built-up areas, but it is advisable to wear it as much as possible even in broad daylight!

The use of helmets for children under 12 years, drivers or passengers, is mandatory.

If you are transporting children under the age of 5, they must be seated in an approved seat attached to the bicycle. The seat must have footrests and postural belts. And of course, the child must wear an approved helmet.

 

Recommended equipment

Wearing a helmet in all circumstances.

A danger spreader, which is installed on the frame of the bike, at the rear and keeps motorists at a distance in case of overtaking.

Mirrors, because the danger often comes from behind!

Wear light-colored clothing and a reflective vest at any time of the day.

Some practical advice:

Monitor the condition of the tires weekly if you use them daily.

Do not wear a scarf or lose clothing, or heavy bags on the sides.

Use trouser clips or rubber bands to avoid getting caught in the spokes of the bike.

The traffic rules are as follows:

Cyclists, like all other users, must obey the Highway Code and ride safely.

 

When changing direction, extend your arm in the direction you want to go and don’t shift to the left at the last moment. When you stop, raise your arm!

Never wear headphones, earphones, or headphones, it is dangerous and reprehensible. Just like calling while pedaling.

Do not drive while intoxicated.

Riding in town

When they exist, take the cycle paths. If two cycle paths are available on either side of the road, choose the one to the right of the road. Drive in the same direction as the vehicles. You must respect traffic lights and signs. If there is no bike path, common sense dictates that you are riding on the right! In the absence of paths reserved for cyclists, you must drive on the right and not on the sidewalks.

 

Only children under 8 years old are allowed to use them, keeping a reasonable speed. It will also be necessary to park your bike in dedicated places preferably. In pedestrian areas, traffic is authorized on the condition of not sprinting between pedestrians!

 

Driving outside the built-up area

Outside built-up areas, the reflective vest is highly recommended. It is better not to drive too close to the shoulders which are sometimes not stabilized. You have to be wary of the draft caused by the trucks which could destabilize you. Also, remember to keep to the right so as not to surprise motorists on narrow lanes. Finally, when you are riding in a group of fewer than 10 people, you will have to travel in a single file. If there are more than ten of you doing the walk, you will have to split the group in two!

With a winter-proof bike, the right clothing, and a suitable riding style, you can pedal even in snow and ice. Here are the most important tips for winter cyclists.

Good tires and lighting are crucial

Wear light-colored, weatherproof clothing

Always take the Pedelec battery with you into the warm

More and more people use bicycles to commute to work all year round – even in winter. But cycling in winter is only fun with the right equipment.

Winter tires, spikes, and mudguards

There is no compulsory winter tire for bicycles in Germany. In general, cyclists should make sure that their tires have a good, not worn profile. Under certain circumstances, you should even choose coarse MTB tires. If you lower the tire pressure a little, you can increase grip.

Unlike cars, spikes are permitted for bicycles but are not recommended without restrictions. Although they improve grip on snow and ice, they have very poor handling characteristics on dry or wet asphalt. Cornering and braking, in particular, become more difficult. The tire manufacturers Continental and Schwalbe, for example, offer special winter tires for bicycles with and without spikes.

Trekking and city bikes usually have mudguards as standard. Mountain bikes, cross bikes, and other sporty models mostly not. They are not required by law anyway. In rain and snow, however, they make sense to arrive reasonably clean.

Lighting: the regulations

Good lighting is required by law – and vital for every winter cyclist. A headlight with a white reflector, a rear light, and a red reflector is essential. Also, the bike must have reflective strips on the front and rear tires, yellow reflectors in the front and rear wheels or reflective spoke sticks on all spokes, and two yellow reflectors on each of the pedals. Only hub dynamos make sense as a power source, as the old side-rotor dynamos slip through quickly in snow and a lot of water.

Winter clothing: that makes sense

Good, breathable, rain-repellent, and windproof sportswear is relatively expensive, but it makes sense. Belong in the wardrobe:

Bicycle helmet

thin, windproof hat

Gloves

breathable functional underwear

Cycling jackets and pants are windproof on the front, but breathable on the back

Overshoes

reflective safety vest

 

A bicycle is not only a daily means of transport that you can use to travel to work or classes, but riding it is also a great way to spend your free time, sightseeing trips, and relaxation for the whole family. The season still favors two-wheeled users, but the days become shorter and the visibility worsens, which has a large impact on the safety of vulnerable road users.

 

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 11 road incidents involving cyclists in Mysłowice, in which 6 cyclists were injured. The behavior of other road users is very important for the safety of cyclists. In most cases, the events occurred due to the failure to give way to priority. In the reported 6 accidents, the blame was shared equally between cyclists and car drivers. Cyclists aged 25-50 participated in these events.

 

Regardless of age, every cyclist should ensure that he is visible to other road users for his safety. Reflective vest, reflective harness, bands, although they are not obligatory, make it easier for the driver to see the cyclist, especially in poor visibility. One should also remember the proper psychophysical condition. Driving the bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or alcohol is an offense that carries a fine or imprisonment.

 

The cyclist’s safety also depends on the technical condition of the bicycle and its equipment.

 

A properly equipped bicycle should have:

in the front – at least one white or selective yellow position lamp (maybe flashing);

at the rear – at least one red reflex reflector of a shape other than a triangle and at least one red position lamp (maybe flashing);

at least one effective brake;

a bell or other warning signal with a non-piercing sound.

When using a bicycle, always remember about the applicable regulations

Cyclists must use cycle lanes whenever possible. While driving, the cyclist is forbidden to use the phone that requires the handset or microphone to be held.

 

Let’s remember! Compliance with road traffic regulations combined with mutual kindness, respect, and understanding will certainly improve road safety.

To be confident on the road and stay calm even in the event of a car malfunction, you should familiarize yourself with the list of unforeseen car breakdowns and how to fix them before getting behind the wheel.

The weather in Israel is deteriorating again, which means that the likelihood of getting stuck in the middle of the road due to a malfunction in the car increases. Ynet teamed up with volunteers from Yedidim – Siyua Ba-Draheim (Friends Helping on the Roads) and Paz-Yellow to provide some practical tips to help you cope with unexpected breakdowns. These tips, of course, are for “dummies”, but someone may come in handy.

Starter cables for the battery

First of all, stock up on the starter cables needed to “light” a run-down battery.

Remember to turn off your headlights to avoid battery drain. If you are forgetful, put a small note in the “strategic” place to remind you of this (for example, attach it to the key fob with the ignition key). Also, park your car so that you can easily access the battery. When connecting cables, connect the positive terminals first. When disabled, the opposite is true.

Problem with the security device

Did you make a mistake while typing the code? Switch off the engine for a few minutes. This usually helps.

Tire damage

There is no doubt that tire damage ( puncher ) is one of the most common and annoying problems, especially when driving on a highway when it is not easy to pull over to fix the problem.

First, make sure you have all the tools you need to accomplish this task. And first of all – the spare tire, which must be inflated. Yes, some cars do not have it. If you are buying a used car, it is worth checking to see if it has a working spare tire.

Connect to the Vesti Telegram channel

Do not use tire repair spray, as the touch sensors can be damaged by the repair spray chemistry.

Be sure to wear a reflective vest and place a triangular warning triangle 10m from the vehicle when exiting your vehicle on the side of the freeway.

And most importantly, parents of young drivers, teach your children how to change wheels correctly and safely is the best skill in an emergency.

Opening a door lock

In many cars in Israel, doors are automatically locked with an electric drive and opened with remote control. If you have such a car, always keep a spare key with you.

Dashboard indicators

Did the red light on the dashboard come on? Stop the car immediately and check what happened (use an internet search to find out why the light came on). In any case, this means that it is not safe to continue driving.

A yellow light (as opposed to a red one) indicates that you need to visit a car workshop, but for now, you can continue driving. In some cases, a yellow light simply indicates that a particular vehicle system (eg ESP) is activated.

Oil and water

It is best to check the oil level before starting the engine. The same goes for testing the water. It is important to have the right kind of oil and water in the trunk.

Who to contact for help

In an emergency, it is important to know in advance how to call for help, how to contact traffic police and volunteers to help deal with the problem.

Some insurance companies have mobile applications that allow you to immediately report an incident (accident or another emergency).

There are other Israeli mobile apps (such as C-Now) that allow you to immediately call the police, firefighters, municipal inspectors, and other rescue services. The Waze navigation app allows you to ask other drivers for help.

Almost 200 bicycle accidents occurred in the city of Lucerne last year. The Lucerne accident insurer Suva warns against being overlooked on the street in the dark winter months. In Lucerne, people have been trying to raise awareness of the topic for years.

It is a fact that there are more bicycles in the city of Lucerne than ever before. The lockdown in spring also fueled the bike boom.

The mild winters of recent years also make it possible to spend practically the whole year on the saddle. In the autumn and winter months, however, this means that the journey takes place more often at dusk or in the dark. The accident insurer Suva, based in Lucerne, is now warning of the associated risk of accidents.

7,000 bicycle accidents in the winter months

Between October and March, accident insurers count an average of 7,000 bicycle accidents in road traffic, writes Suva in a report. Many accidents with bicycles occur because cyclists are badly seen by other road users. “When it gets darker outside again, it is all the more important when cycling that you are seen by other road users on the road,” the report continues.

Suva makes recommendations for better visibility during the dark season. First of all, reference is made to seven mandatory elements of Velo equipment:

White reflectors at the front, at least 10 cm2 in size

Red reflectors at the back, at least 10 cm2 in size

Orange reflectors on the front and rear pedals

A white, round light in front, visible from at least 100 meters (at night and dusk)

A red, dormant light in the back (at night and in the twilight)

A flashing red light is also recommended

Two effective brakes

Intact pumped tires (tires adapted to the season)

Also, there are five other recommended elements:

Reflectors on the spokes

The luminous vest or reflective accessories such as gloves and bracelets (at night and dusk)

Light on the helmet (at night and dusk)

Reflective tires

bell

Lucerne knows the “day of light”

At Pro Velo Luzern, the issue of visibility is well known, as Co-President Korintha Bärtsch confirms on request. In recent years, the association organized the “Day of Light” campaign together with the Swiss Transport Club (VCS) and the Lucerne police, and the Velocipede specialist shop.

“We inform and advise cyclists on all aspects of visibility,” explains Bärtsch. “We give practical tips, such as the fact that the reflective trouser strap can also be used on the sleeve of a dark coat. Or that light instead of dark helmets is the right choice in such conditions.”

There is a minimum set of items that a driver must carry with him in the trunk of a car, by traffic rules. To this set, it is worth adding a couple more important devices that may be useful to him in unforeseen or ordinary situations. The minimum required items in a car, according to traffic rules, including a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a yellow reflective vest, and an emergency stop sign. What else can be useful?

Let’s go back to the obligatory first aid kit. Its contents will help stop bleeding or carry out simple manipulations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Putting in the first-aid kit additionally allowed in the country pain relievers or, for example, anti-burn agents or the same antihistamine is a very far-sighted decision.

In the current realities of the coronavirus infection pandemic, the presence in the car of such important trifles as wet wipes, a simple antiseptic, a supply of medical masks, as well as protective gloves, becomes relevant. And, by the way, such gloves should lie next to those gloves that can be used for minor repairs on the road.

By the way, about the renovation. Although many modern motorists do not independently repair and maintain their car, a minimal set of tools (for example, a few screwdrivers, a knife, pliers) or a simple multitool, almost all are prudently carried with them in a car.

Next to the tool kit, you need to put at least the simplest compressor in the car trunk. It will not take up much space, but it will be very useful when on the way you need to pump up the wheel to get to the nearest tire service. In case of a sudden breakdown, which, for example, completely immobilized the car, there should be a towing cable in its trunk, on which it will be possible to deliver the car to the nearest car service.

Particularly prudent motorists put a whole “spare tire” in the trunk of their car if it is not provided for by the complete set of the car. Yes, this extra item takes up a lot of trunk space. And for a person who constantly moves in a city, carrying a spare wheel with him may not be a rational decision – in unforeseen cases, you can get to the nearest tire service. It is more advisable to have a set for eliminating punctures of a wheel with you and be able to use it.

Add to our set of scotch tape, a flashlight, a small supply of auto chemicals in a compact container – for example, a glass cleaner and the simplest lubricant. And it is also worth putting there several seasonal items: during the winter – this is a scraper brush for cleaning the glass and the car body from ice and snow, a starting-charger or a set of wires to “light up” from the battery of another car and start a stalled engine …

When composing a set of essentials, a driver must proceed not only from the time of year but also from the conditions in which he traditionally drives a car. An urban riding kit might not include items that are likely to come in handy on long-distance trips. By the way, to provide everything for a “fire case” the same should not be overdone, it is better to refrain from cluttering up the trunk, and try to put only the most necessary items there.