HOW YOU CAN DO YOUR PART TO STAY SAFE WHILE RIDING OUTDOORS
The Amy Gillett Foundation is proud to be partnering with the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation (SCHF) for the second annual Pedal 4 Kids challenge this May.
As Sydney’s most inclusive cycling event, Pedal 4 Kids challenges riders of all skill levels and ages to get out and explore your local area by bike, while raising funds to help sick kids with life-threatening respiratory conditions.
We know that a lot of you will be joining your friends and family for an outdoor ride to meet (and beat!) your personal goals during this month-long challenge – so we’ve put together some helpful safety tips for your next outdoor ride.
At AGF, we work hard to help make the roads safe for you and your family, but we all need to do our part and be mindful of road safety to avoid serious injuries.
Be Safe to Ride
Monitor your own health and make sure you are fit to ride, every time you get out on your bike. Ensure you keep hydrated, maintain energy levels with sufficient fuel and monitor your fatigue while training. We recommend you always carry an emergency/medical ID with you and keep your bike well maintained.
Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Bright, Wear a Light
Being visible on the road is important for your safety. This includes wearing light coloured clothing and reflective gear, using the required white light at the front and a red light at the rear (plus a red reflector) when cycling at night or in low light conditions. We also recommend using daytime visible lights.
The quality of bike lights sold in Australia can vary greatly. Pop into a local bike shop and be sure to purchase ones that help you be seen.
Understand the Local Road Environment
Be conscious of the road conditions and local environment where you are cycling. In rural and regional locations, you are likely to encounter a range of road conditions, local weather conditions and wildlife. In city and metropolitan locations, the conditions can vary greatly. Be alert, scan the road ahead and be aware of other vehicles.
Share the Road
Road safety is a shared responsibility, and that includes all of us, whether we are on our bikes, walking or driving. Next time you are out on your bike, keep the ‘4C’s in mind:
- Be Courteous – for example by acknowledging other road users with a friendly wave if they have given you right of way, or slowed down – this helps to encourage a more harmonious road environment
- Be Calm – don’t rush, be aware of your own emotions and try to stay calm, even if other road users are not. This helps to reduce the likelihood of you making risky choices, and can help to diffuse tensions on the roads
- Be Considerate – always indicate your intentions. If riding with a bunch, be considerate of other road users and consider moving to a single file if someone is trying to pass and it’s safe to do so. When climbing and descending narrow windy roads with poor sightlines, be aware of other road users and move aside where safe to do so to let others pass
- Be Conscientious – make sure your bike is in good working order, your lights are charged and you are wearing appropriate gear.
Know the Road Rules
Road safety starts with you. Cyclists are required to observe road rules, including applicable traffic control signals and signs, such as red lights, stop and give way signs. Road safety is a shared responsibility – Do the right thing, enjoy your ride, and let’s all get home safely.
No matter what your age or ability, these helpful tips can keep you safe as you pedal the distance for sick kids this May during the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Pedal 4 Kids challenge.
Together, we can make a difference and help support sick children and their families.
