Safety Tips

Safety tips provided by UT Health San Antonio Police & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Protect Your Head. Wear a Helmet.

  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend bicyclists wear a helmet that complies with the CPSC standard. Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on the head.

Give Your Bike A Thorough Inspection Before Riding.

  • Make sure your brakes are clean and adjusted. If you cannot stop quickly, adjust your brakes. Consult your bicycle owner’s manual, or have a bicycle shop adjust the brakes. When your hand brake levers are fully applied, they should not touch the handlebars. Each brake-shoe pad should wear evenly and never be separated more than one-eighth inch from the rim.
  • Tire condition: Check the tread for excessive wear.
  • Frame damage of any kind. Look for cracks, dents, damage at weld sites, tube buckles, carbon damage, and alignment problems.
  • Chain wear: Much like an oil change in a car, routine chain changes save more expensive parts from excess wear
  • Cable and housing condition. Check for rust, sticky gear shifters or brake cables, UV damage, cracking.

See and Be Seen.

  • Wear clothes that make you more visible. Always wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding a bicycle.
  • Ride in the same direction as traffic, as a vehicle on the road.
  • Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings; signal all turns and follow local laws.
  • Be predictable; ride in a straight line and use hand signals when changing lanes or turning.
  • Stay focused; look ahead for traffic and obstacles in your path.

Race Day Checklist Suggestions

  • Bike
  • Properly Fitted Helmet
  • Shoes
  • Socks
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Jersey
  • Shorts
  • Bottles
  • Race food
  • Electrolyte drink
  • Plenty of water
  • Spare wheels and tubes
  • Bike floor pump
  • Essential tools: Allen-key multitool, flathead & Phillips screwdrivers, electrical tape
  • Post-race recovery drink/snack with a 4:1 ratio of carbs vs. protein

Day of the Race “To-Dos”

  • Please make sure you check in at the registration desk. We need to know precisely how many people are riding in our event.
  • Eat a good breakfast. Include some complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and some antioxidant-rich fruits.
  • Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Make sure you remain well hydrated leading up to your event and during the ride itself. It’s always a good idea to include some electrolyte drinks.
  • Get to your race at least 60-90 minutes early to allow yourself to get ready at your own pace.
  • Most importantly, have fun!

 

SOURCES: UT Police & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration