Why You Should Read This Manual; About This Manual - RIDLEY Bicycle Use And Maintenance Booklet

1. ABOUT THIS MANUAL...

1.1. Why you should read this manual

This manual has been written to help you get the most performance,
comfort, enjoyment and safety when riding your new bike.
It's important for you to understand your new bike, its features and its
operation, so that, from your first ride, you get maximum enjoyment
and maximum safety. By reading this manual before you go out on
your first ride, you'll know how to get the most from your new bicycle.
It is also important that your first ride on a new bicycle takes place in
a controlled environment, away from cars, obstacles and other
cyclists.
GENERAL WARNING: Bicycling can be a hazardous
activity even under the best of circumstances. Proper
maintenance of your bicycle is your responsibility as it
helps reduce the risk of injury. This Manual contains
many "Warnings" and "Cautions" concerning the consequences of
failure to maintain or inspect your bicycle. Many of the Warnings and
Cautions say "you may lose control and fall." As any fall can result in
serious injury or even death, we do not repeat the warning of
possible injury or death whenever the risk of falling is mentioned.
When all else fails... it's never too late to read the manual
Even if you've been riding a bike all your life, you probably need an
update on your bicycling habits, knowledge and assumptions. Why?
Because bicycles are going through some pretty dramatic changes in
the technology that affect function, handling, comfort, performance
and safety.
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTS: It is a tragic fact that most
bicycle accidents involve children. As a parent or guardian, you bear
the responsibility for the activities and safety of your minor child.
Among these responsibilities are to ensure that the bicycle which
your child is riding is properly fitted to the child; that it is in good
repair and safe operating condition; that you and your child have
learned and understood the safe operation of the bicycle; and that
you and your child have learned, understood and obeyed not only
the applicable local motor vehicle, bicycle and traffic laws, but also
the common sense rules of safe and responsible bicycling. As a
parent, you should read this manual before letting your child ride the
bicycle. We have tried to make this manual interesting and instructive
for both you and your child.
Make sure that your child always wears an approved bicycle helmet
when riding.
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