Tips for Safe Cycling

Use these tips when trying out College Park trails, like the one mentioned in this week's Trail Heads column.

Biking in College Park is no easy feat. At the weekly Thursday night potluck at Proteus Bicycles, employees and regulars offered these tips for safe riding:

1. Wear a helmut. Duh.

2. Use lights, even during the day. They help attract attention and let cars and fellow riders see you.

3. Use a bell and make noise. Verbal cues like "on your left" not only let other riders know you're approaching, but where you're headed.

4. Wear visible colors.

5. You're a vehicle; act like it. That means taking a lane when you're on the road, and sticking to it. Don't weave, don't hop on the sidewalk and back down again, which leads to tip 5a:

5a. Be predictable.

6. Make eye contact with drivers in cars. That allows you to acknowledge one another, which hopefully makes for smoother interaction.