Night Riding - Giant - V8.0 Manual

E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous than riding during the day. A cyclist is very difficult
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: Reflectors 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
reflectors is dangerous and may result in serious injury or death.
Bicycle reflectors are designed to pick up and reflect car lights and street lights in a way that may help you to
be seen and recognized as a moving cyclist.
CAUTION: Check reflectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make sure that they are
clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have your dealer replace damaged reflectors and
straighten or tighten any that are bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reflectors 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 reflectors or reflector brackets from your bicycle.
They are an integral part of the bicycle's safety system.
Removing the reflectors may reduce your visibility to others using the roadway. Being struck
by other vehicles may result in serious injury or death.
The reflector 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 install battery or generator powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory
requirements and provide adequate visibility.
• Wear light colored, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a reflective vest, reflective arm and leg
bands, reflective stripes on your helmet, flashing lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... any
reflective device or light source that moves will help you get the attention of approaching motorists,
pedestrians and other traffic.
• Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the bicycle does not obstruct a reflector or
light.
• Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned and securely mounted reflectors.
While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving traffic.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on familiar routes.
If riding in traffic:
• Be predictable. Ride so that drivers can see you and predict your movements.
• Be alert. Ride defensively and expect the unexpected.
• If you plan to ride in traffic often, ask your dealer about traffic safety classes or a good book on bicycle
traffic safety.
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