Bicycle and Pedestrian Resources

Helmet Fitting 101 (1:23) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/93441701

A bicycle helmet is specifically designed to protect your brain. Your skull is not enough to protect your brain from the impact that can occur in a bicycle crash. Wearing a properly fitting helmet while riding your bike will protect you from brain injury. Use the Two-Finger Rule to achieve proper helmet fit.

Two-Finger Rule

• Position the helmet so it is level and low on the forehead, then tighten the adjustments until the helmet fits snugly in place. The helmet should be no higher above the eyebrows than two fingers' width.
• Clip the chin strap and adjust the tightness as necessary. No more than two fingers should fit between the strap and the chin.
• Adjust the buckles on either side of the helmet so they are just below the earlobes. Check with two fingers that the straps are making a v-shape around your ears.

A bike is like a shoe, it needs to fit you properly for comfort and safety. 

A quick way to to check the seat height is to stand next to the bike. The seat height should be even with the hip socket (where the femur connects with the hip).

Fitting and Adjusting your Bike (1:09) League of American Bicyclists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYCp2sedYBs

ABC Quick Check (1:15) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/91370464

How to Patch a Flat Tire (2:51) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/98184504

Bicycle Colorado has a lot of helpful videos on Vimeo:

Fix a Flat (3:39) Bicycle Colorado
https://vimeo.com/bicyclecolorado

Adjusting Brakes (3:20) Bicycle Colorado
https://vimeo.com/bicyclecolorado

Removing Pedals (3:21) Bicycle Colorado
https://vimeo.com/bicyclecolorado

Before you get on your bike to ride, perform the ABC Quick Check:

1. Air: Squeeze tires to make sure they are firm, pump up if low.

2. Brakes: Squeeze the brake levers making sure the bike won’t roll and the levers don’t come all the way back to the handle bar. Then lift each wheel off the ground and spin to see if the brake is rubbing. Make brake adjustment or use different bike if tests reveal a problem.

3. Chain: Lift the rear wheel and and use your hand to pedal forward a few strokes to see the chain moves smoothly. Reposition the chain, if needed. If problem persists, make further adjustments or use a different bike.

4. Quick: Inspect each wheel to ensure it is securely in the frame and give each quick-release lever a light tug to make sure it is shut tightly. If a wheel is not seated properly, open quick release, reposition the wheel and retighten quick release. If quick release is loose, tighten it. Get help if you’re feeling unsure.

5. Check: Give the whole bike a check over for anything that is falling off, rubbing or not where you think it should be. Drop test: pickup bike 1” off ground and let fall gently with control to make sure nothing falls off or rattles. Make any necessary adjustments and use a different bike if there are problems you can’t fix.

Power Pedal Position (1:05) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/128532270
Learn an effective technique for starting your bicycle

Starting and Stopping (1:28) League of American Bicyclists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpMQ6rK0hvw

STARTING - Power Pedal Position:

• Straddling the frame, put one foot on the pedal while the other remains planted on the ground. 
• Position plant leg far enough from the bike that the shin is clear of the pedal when rotated.
• Rotate the pedal to the up and forward (2 o’clock) position.
• Start moving by stepping off the ground and pushing down on the pedal while lifting the body up onto sit on the seat. 

STOPPING - 2&2 = Two Handed Braking, Two Feet on Ground When Stopped:

• Grip position: index and middle finger ready on brake lever while other fingers grip the handlebars.
• Apply pressure evenly to both brake levers to slow down. 
• As the bike comes to a stop, slide weight off the saddle and step one foot onto the ground.
• Step other foot to ground and straddle the top tube.

In BVSD Bikeology we teach GO-BC, which stands for:

• Go with the flow: ride predictably, moving in the same direction as traffic and obeying all traffic signs and signals. When you ride on the street, you are a vehicle, just like a car.
• Be alert to traffic and road hazards.
• Communicate: use hand signals and eye contact to communicate with other users of the roadway. Use your voice if necessary. 

Let's Go Biking! Lesson 1: Get Ready to Ride (17:16) NCCDOT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=N-xBDdxcpWo&feature=emb_logo

This video reviews the following key concepts:

-Why People Ride
-Ask an Adult
-Plan a Safe Route
-Have a Bike that Fits
-Perform an ABC Quick Check
-Be Visible
-Stop at the End of Driveways
-Ride With Traffic
-Yield to Pedestrians
-Pull Over For Sirens
-Know the Traffic Signs and Signals

Let's Go Biking! Lesson 2: Bicycling Basics (16:12) NCCDOT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWl2t2o4C7I&t=39s

This video reviews the following key concepts:

-Use Hand Signals
-Avoid Risky Behaviors
-Carry Things in Backpack
-Do Not Ride Against Traffic
-Do Not Ride Double
-Always Stop at Traffic Signs and Signals
-Avoid Riding at Night or When It's Wet
-Safely Cross Railroad Tracks
-Look for Potential Hazards
-React Safely to Others

Hand Signals (1:26) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/129688693
Before turning, changing lanes or stopping, it is important to communicate what you are going to do by using hand signals.

Scanning (0:53) League of American Bicyclists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49wNpmWZ_oI&list=PLEunXMVRYA7Sb6oOVe7SvDZj24DcHL7Wu&index=9
An important skill for riding on the road is being able to look at what is going on around you.

Wear brightly colored clothing to help you be seen by cars.

Use bike lights, a white one in front and a red one on the rear of your bike, in low light conditions. Colorado state law requires bike lights when riding at night.

Bicycle Safety 3: Be Visible (2:58) Pueblo Safe Routes to School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_9b5Ybxs6Y&t=16s

As riders become more confident and venture further out on their bicycles, it is important to know what to do at intersections.

Navigating Intersections (2:31) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/96933612

Understanding Right of Way (2:18) Oregon Safe Routes to School
https://vimeo.com/105087193
A short video describing the 3 rules to Right of Way. First goes first, Vehicle traveling straight goes first, vehicle on right side goes first. 

Intersection Positioning (1:44) League of American Bicyclists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EQ3qc1OMOU

5 Most Common Bicycle Crashes by Kids and How to Avoid Them (5:06) City of Fort Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ozdwL4AAAQ&feature=youtu.be

Riding on the wrong side of the road
Not looking when exiting the driveway
Swerving left without looking over your left shoulder first
Not stopping and stop signs and stop lights
Following a friend without looking for yourself

Locking your Bike (5:39) City of Fort Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jxgVOMFiy8&feature=youtu.be

Tips for securing your bike with a u-lock or cable lock at several types of bike racks.

This video explains why bicycling on the sidewalk is not always the safest place to ride. Confident riders, who can hold a straight line, are usually safer on the road. If you do need to ride on the sidewalk, it is important to do so at a pedestrian speed.

Riding on the Sidewalk (1:24) League of American Bicyclists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1icY11n7Tzk

We are fortunate to have an extensive trail network in our area. It is important to follow the rules of the trail to keep everyone safe. Remember to ride to the right and call out your intention to pass.

Sharing the Trail (1:13) League of American Bicyclists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEBFJDpCVvk&list=PLEunXMVRYA7Sb6oOVe7SvDZj24DcHL7Wu&index=11

Did you know that training wheels can be counter productive to learning how to ride a bike? Check out this video from REI about helping new riders learn how to balance by taking off the pedals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADkm4qkXAj8&disable_polymer=true

http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney/el_sp.html

http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney/mi_sp.html

http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney/hs_sp.html

Skills for Safe Walking - ages 5-9 US Dept. of Transportation, FHA

English (5:10):  http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/el_en.html
Spanish (7:03):  http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/el_sp.html

 “LET’S GO WALKING!” VIDEO SERIES by the North Carolina Department of Transportation

Lesson 1: Walking Safely Near Traffic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H1iEAk-9Rg   (4:02)

-Reasons People Walk
-Who is a Pedestrian?
-Walk on the Sidewalk
-Walk on the Left Facing Traffic
-Stay Together
-Avoid Busy Roads
-Plan a Safe Route
-Set a Good Example
-Wear Bright Colors
-Watch for Cars at Driveways

 Lesson 2: Crossing Streets Safely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jCpBH5zehI&feature=emb_rel_end   (5:15)

-Reasons People Cross Streets
-Do Not Cross Busy Streets Alone
-Stay Together
-Find a Safe Place to Cross
-Stop at the Edge
-Look and Listen for Traffic
-Cross Quickly and Safely
-Be Extra Cautious when it's Dark
-Be a Role Model

 Lesson 3: Crossing Intersections Safely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQVcdaW2TuY&feature=emb_rel_end   (6:00)

 -Reasons People Cross Intersections
-Find a Safe Place to Cross
-Look for a Marked Crosswalk
-Stop at the Edge
-Look and Listen for Traffic
-Look for Traffic Signs and Signals
-Look for Pedestrian Signals
-Cross Quickly and Safely
-Stay in the Crosswalk

Skills for Safe Walking - ages 10-14 US Dept. of Transportation, FHA

English (4:53): http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/mi_en.html

Spanish (6:54): http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/mi_sp.html

Boulder County if offering grants to have Bicycle Colorado visit high school classes either in person or online to teach their Bicycle Friendly Driver Course.

Taught from a motorist’s lens, the 1.5-hour, interactive course aims to make our roads safer for everyone by covering laws and safe practices for motorists and bicyclists, how to navigate on-street bicycle infrastructure and how to avoid common crashes. All ages and levels of motorists and bicyclists (and motorcyclists!) have shared that they benefited from the course.  

To have Bicycle Colorado visit your class contact SafeRoutes@bvsd.org.

The Colorado Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program aims to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian lessons in core K-8 classes (math, science, history, language arts, etc.) with the goal of getting kids thinking about the benefits of walking and bicycling throughout their entire learning. These lesson plans were created to align specifically with the State of Colorado's standards for education for core K-8 classes and have been reviewed by the Colorado Department of Education.

CDOT K-8 Lesson Plans