Night Riding - Giant Bicycles Owner's Manual

E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous than riding during
the day. A bicyclist 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
bicyclist.
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.
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