|
Emergency Maneuvers
When you ride a bike you will encounter road hazards such
as potholes, cracks, rocks, and other debris. You may encounter
other vehicles that cut in front of you and also railroad
tracks, gravel, slick places on the road, etc. In each of
these cases you must be prepared and know the correct actions
to take.
1. Obstacles : Looking ahead while
riding, gives you plenty of time to safely avoid the road
hazards. Be sure to check around for traffic and correct
your course to ride around the hazard. However, if you do
not see the hazard until it is right on you, try this approach:
the moment you reach the hazard, turn the wheel sharply
away from it and quickly turn the wheel back as it passes
the hazard. Try not to be too jerky as you may lose control
and fall.
2. Emergency Turns: You may need
to make a fast turn to avoid hitting a motor vehicle if
it unexpectedly turns in front of you. To make an emergency
turn to the right, sharply steer the handlebars to the left
and then quickly back to the right. Steering left first
forces you into a deep right lean of the bicycle much faster
than if you simply leaned right and turned. As a result,
you can move into the fast, tight turn that an emergency
demands. For an emergency left turn use the same principle
but opposite directions.
3. Sudden Stops: When the need
arises to stop very quickly, you should apply more pressure
to the front brake. This will help you slow down if you
can remember to push yourself backward on the seat because
otherwise you will be ejected over the handlebars.
4. Slick spots: The road is full
of unexpected occurances on the road caused by oil from
cars and trucks. You will also find that pavement markings
can be slick. You need to approach these slick spots with
care. Go around them if possible. If you have to go through
them, then be very careful. Try not to turn at all and coast
through them. Don’t brake, pedal or turn unless absolutely
necessary.
5. Terrain:
·
Railroad Tracks: Railroad tracks can flip you over
if your wheel gets caught in the groove beside the track.
To avoid this, approach the track slowly and straight on,
never at an angle. Another even safer approach is to get
off and walk your bike across the tracks.
·
Loose Gravel: Gravel on the road can cause the
bike to skid and slide and you can easily loose control.
When riding through gravel go very slowly and turn slowly.
6. Dogs: Loose dogs seem to be
everywhere and it is their nature to chase moving objects.
There are several things one can do to get rid of them.
One of course is to try and outride them. Another is to
coast, as dogs are sometimes attracted by the motion of
the pedals. At times a loud “no” will send the
dog home. A last resort may be to dismount from the bike,
keep the bike between you and the dog and walk very slowly
away. Do not run.
|
