Night Riding - Priority Bicycle Owner's Manual

E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is much 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 reduces 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 a 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 lose 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 for where you
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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