Thanks to Terry Bellus

May is Bike Safety Month. Bicycling is fun, it helps us keep fit, and it gives us mobility. It also helps kids develop judgment and self-confidence, safe practices and lifelong skills. The most important part of having fun cycling is to learn to do it safely. Here are some basic safety rules for all kids and au pairs to follow.  Remember: you are a role model, and since your host children must wear a helmet (CT law requires bicycle helmets for everyone under 16), so should you!

The basic set of rules for beginning bicyclist are:
1. No playing in the road.
2. No riding on busy streets.
3. Stop and look before entering a roadway to cross or for any other reason.
4. Bicycle ride in the same direction as the traffic regardless of whether it is on the road, on the shoulder or on a sidewalk. [In situations where the infrastructure or other factors force you to ride toward traffic, adjacent to it, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you approach every intersection (road, alley, driveway, parking lot access, etc) with extreme caution and be prepared to stop instantly.]
5. Stop for all stop signs and obey all other traffic signs and signals.
6. Make your own decisions (don’t do something just because a friend does).
7. Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times — two is better.
8. No riding at night — even in broad daylight bright cloths are good.
9. Even though you are over 16, it is a good idea to wear a bicycle helmet. Bicycle gloves are a second good piece of personal protective equipment.

10. Bicycles are not permitted on sidewalks in the town of New Canaan.