Hundreds of cyclists are killed, and thousands injured, each year while navigating the nation's roadways. Bicycle riders can help prevent crashes by following a few basic rules of the road:

• Always wear an approved bicycle safety helmet to protect your head from serious injury when riding.
• Before riding out of a driveway, parking lot or sidewalk into the street, stop and look left, right and left again for traffic.
• Ride on the right-hand side of the street in the same direction as the flow of automobile traffic.
• When riding with others, form a single line, one bike length apart, on the right-hand side of the roadway.
• Stop at all stop signs and look left, right, and left again for traffic.
• Walk your bike across busy roads and intersections.
• Use hand signals to show others that you are stopping or making a turn.
• Help other drivers to see you. Wear light or brightly colored clothing.
• On streets where cars are parked, watch for car doors opening into the roadways.
• Avoid riding after dark or if the weather is bad. All cyclists are at risk during the hours of darkness.
• Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way. It's an act of courtesy, and it's safer, too.
• Obey traffic signs, signals and pavement markings. Obeying the law can keep you out of many hazardous driving situations.
• Avoid broken pavement, litter, loose gravel, mud, or leaves. Any of these can cause you to lose control of your bike.

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• Look all ways before crossing at crosswalks. Keep to the right in the crosswalk.
• At signalized crosswalks, cross only on proper signal.
• Avoid crossing between parked cars.
• Where there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the roadway, walk on left side, facing traffic.
• Wear or carry retro-reflective material at night to help drivers see you.

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Tips for Safe School Bus Riding
For a safe and enjoyable ride to and from school, follow these rules:

• Leave home early enough to arrive at your bus stop on time.
• Wait for your bus in a safe place well off the roadway.
• Enter your bus in an orderly manner and take your seat.
• Follow the instructions of your school bus driver or bus patrol.
• Remain in your seat while your bus is in motion.
• Keep your head and arms in the bus at all times.
• Keep aisles clear at all times.
• Remain quiet and orderly.
• Be courteous to your school bus driver and fellow passengers.
• Be alert to traffic when leaving the bus.

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