Positioning:  Ride on the right side of the roadway, not on the left or on the sidewalk.  Riders who drive facing traffic are vulnerable  because motorists don't expect to meet traffic coming the wrong way.  Riding on the sidewalk is dangerous for similar reasons.  Local bylaws often set out the age limit or the size of bicycles allowed to drive on sidewalks.

Yielding to crossing traffic:  Cyclists and motorists must decide who has the right of way at an intersection.  The two rules are a) the driver on the minor street yields to the driver on the major street. b) if arriving simultaneously, the driver on the left yields to the drivers on the right.

  Same direction yielding:  When traveling in the same direction as other traffic, drivers of all vehicles - including bicycles - must yield to traffic in the lane.  Before changing lanes, a rider must look behind to make sure conditions are safe, signal the lane change and negotiate with the driver behind to make sire the motorists sees the bike and agrees to let the bike in. 

  Intersection positioning:  At simple intersection, begin left turns from near the centerline and right turns from near the curb

  Stopping:  With coaster brakes, pedal backwards to stop.  If you have caliper (hand) brakes, use both brakes to stop. Practice by riding toward a mark on the pavement and stop at the mark in a straight line.  As you stop, set the pedal horizontally to be ready for a good start.  Since brakes must dry the rims before they stop. they're less effective in the rain and you should take extra care.

  Straight Line Riding:  Practice riding in a straight line.  Although it's normal for your bike to wobble slightly as you ride too much wobbling can be dangerous in traffic.  Mark a line on the pavement and practice riding until you wobble no more than 150 millimetres, or about the length of a pop can.  Begin by riding quickly, then ride more slowly as you get better.

  Shoulder Checking:  When riding in traffic, check behind you every time you change position in your lane change lanes or make turns.  Once you can ride in a straight line, begin to practice shoulder-checking.  You should be comfortable in looking over wither shoulder.  One good way to perfect the skill is to have a buddy stand behind you holding up wither a left or right hand and you identify the signal.

 Signalling:  When you ride in traffic, you must signal your intentions to other road users. This involves riding in a straight line with only one hand on the handlebars.  First, look over your shoulder, then signal your turn with one hand.  Keep both hands on the handlebars while making turns.

Practice getting on and off your bike until you can do it smoothly.  Practice starting and stopping until you can do so without wobbling.  Shifting through the gears so you can select the proper one as needed.  Different conditions such as weather call for different gears to make cycling easier and more enjoyable.  Learn to gear down as you come to a stop so you can start in a straight line without wobbling.

Make sure your bike is the right size and properly adjusted.  When sitting on the seat, your leg should be just slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke.  You should be able to straddle the top tube without your body touching the crossbar.  Adjust the handlebars so that your weight is balanced.

  Bike frames:  are available with or without top tubes or crossbars.  Those without them are commonly called woman's frame or mixte bikes.  To chooses the frame size that fits your body, straddle the bike with both feet on the ground.  There should be a clearance of two to five centimetres - about the space of two or three fingers - between the top tube and the crotch.  If there isn't a top tube, still allow for the same clearance as if there were a top tube.

  Seat:  The seat should be adjusted so the base is at least five centimetres - three fingers widths - above the top edge of the seat tube where the seat post had been inserted.  While seated, the tips of both feet should touch the ground.  If not, adjust the eat further.  When the seat is at the right height, your knee should be only slightly bent when one heel is on a pedal at its lowest point.

  Handlebars:  Adjust the handlebar stem so that when seated,  your body weight is evenly balanced between the front and back and your hands rest slightly on the handlebars.  For safety the handlebars stem and seat post must be inserted at least five centimetres in to the frame.

  Brakes:  Most bikes are equipped with either coaster or caliper (hand) brakes.  Caliper brakes are preferable because they have a brake on each wheel to provide more control and better stopping power.  Coaster brakes require a longer stopping distance and can burn out on hills.  However, they are a good choice for younger children who don't have the hand strength to use caliper brakes.

Remember: with caliper brakes the front brake dose most of the stopping.  If the brake is applied too hard you can be thrown over the handlebars.  If the rear heel begins to skid when applying the brakes, ease up on the front brake. 

Bicycling is fun and healthy.  But cycling in less than ideal conditions requires extra care and control. 

Cold Weather

Cycling in cold weather presents unique hazards.  With temperatures at or below freezing, the risk of frostbites of hypothermia are added to the problems of increased riding difficulties due to poor traction.

  Proper gear: Wear proper head gear and adjust your helmet straps to accommodate a hat or toque.  Remember, when riding in cold weather, you can lose heat quickly and frostbite and hypothermia can set in.  Wear mitts and footwear for warmth and keep rides short if possible.

  Road conditions: Don't be fooled by the way a  road looks.  Frost patches and black ices can be present , especially on bridges.  Traction is reduced on frost, so ride slowly and corner carefully without leaning.  For added control, ride in a medium gear.  There is no traction at all on black ice, so ride straight and avoid braking or turning.  if the black ice is extensive, reduce the risk of a mishap by walking the bike.

  Snow:  Even hard packed snow, provides limited traction.  Travel slowly in a medium gear and corner carefully without leaning.  Use the front brake gently to stop. 

Wet Weather

Rain brings oil to the surface of paved roads, making them especially slippery and treacherous.  Heavy rain reduces visibility and creates puddles.  For bikes with caliper brakes, wet wheel rims - specially street ones - means poor braking in the rain.  Under these conditions it takes longer to stop and requires special braking control.

  Braking: On wet roads, starting to brake early and applying the brakes gently will help to dry off wheel rims.  Once the brakes begin to grab the rims, apply the brakes harder to bring the bike to a stop.  Applying either caliper or coaster brakes too quickly can result in sliding or skidding out of control.

  Cornering: With less traction on wet roads, cyclist should reduce speed and make turns slowly without leaning.

  Puddles: Puddles, especially large ones, any hide holes or other surprises.  Avoid them if at all possible.  If you can't drive through them slowly.

  Visibility: Visibility is reduces in rainy or fogged weather but it's important for cyclist to be seen when biking in theses conditions.  Dress in fluorescent or reflective outwear.  Ensure your bike is visible by equipping it with white front light and a red rear light reflector.

  Slippery Surfaces:  Metal surfaces such as manhole covers and tracks, painted lines, leaves and wood become very slippery when wet.  Slow down and corner carefully on theses surfaces. Don't brake or turn suddenly.

  Railroad Tracks-Try to cross railroad tracks at a right angle.  Otherwise the tracks may trap the front wheel, causing a fall.

  Potholes-Hitting a pothole can cause a fall or damage wheel rims, spokes and forks.  A wide swerve around the potholes may send you into the path of an overtaking car. 

  Rain- Be cautious when rain begins (oil comes to the surface).  Pavement stripes, steel surfaces, and leaves are slick when wet.  Don't corner sharply, avoid puddles, brake early. 

 Dogs

A dog can be hazardous to a cyclist by jumping at the rider or getting in front of the wheel.  Dogs smell panic, keep your cool.

What to do:

  Command the Dog(s) to 'GO HOME'

  Squirt the dog with your water bottle.

  Dismount with the bicycle between you and the dog and walk away slowly.

  Take another route next time.

Do Not:

  Kick the dog.

  Stare at the dog.

  Hit the dog with your bike.