Night Riding - Diamondback MULTI-SPEED Owner's Manual

and easier to lose control. To make sure that you can
slow down and stop safely in wet conditions, ride more
slowly and apply your brakes earlier and more gradually
than you would under normal, dry conditions. See also
Section 4.C.
E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous
than riding during the day. A bicyclist is very diffi cult for
motorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore, children
should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults
who chose to accept the greatly increased risk of riding
at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra care both
riding and choosing specialized equipment which helps
reduce that risk. Consult your dealer about night riding
safety equipment.
!
WARNING: Refl ectors are not a substitute for required
lights. Riding at dawn, at dusk, at night or at other times
of poor visibility without an adequate bicycle lighting
system and without refl ectors is dangerous and may
result in serious injury or death.
Bicycle refl ectors are designed to pick up and refl ect
street lights and car lights in a way that may help you to
be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
!
CAUTION: Check refl ectors and their mounting
brackets regularly to make sure that they are clean,
straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have your
dealer replace damaged refl ectors and straighten or
tighten any that are bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear refl ectors are
often designed as brake straddle cable safety catches
which prevent the straddle cable from catching on the
tire tread if the cable jumps out of its yoke or breaks.
!
WARNING: Do not remove the front or rear refl ectors
or refl ector brackets from your bicycle. They are an
integral part of the bicycle's safety system.
Removing the refl ectors may reduce your visibility to
others using the roadway. Being struck by other vehicles
may result in serious injury or death.
The refl ector brackets may protect you from the brake
straddle cable catching on the tire in the event of brake
cable failure. If a brake straddle cable catches on the
tire, it can cause the wheel to stop suddenly, causing you
to loose control and fall.
If you choose to ride under conditions of poor
visibility, check and be sure you comply with all local
laws about night riding, and take the following strongly
recommended additional precautions:
• Purchase and
powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory
requirements and provide adequate visibility.
• Wear light colored,
accessories, such as a refl ective vest, refl ective arm
and leg bands, refl ective stripes on your helmet, fl ashing
lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... any
refl ective device or light source that moves will help you
get the attention of approaching motorists, pedestrians
and other traffi c.
• Make sure your clothing or anything you may be
10
install battery or generator
refl ective clothing and