According to the Department of Transportation the leading factors in bicycle fatalities in 2000 were bicyclists riding or playing in the roadway, failing to yield the right-of-way and crossing roads and intersections improperly. Bicycle deaths and injuries are most likely to occur into the months of July, August, and September.

Safety Tips for Children:

Parents and guardians are responsible for teaching safety to their children. Therefore, these safety tips are for parents and guardians too.

Find safe places to ride your bike. In the Village of Shorewood, bicyclists can use the sidewalks unless a "No Bicycles Allowed" sign is posted. All others are encouraged to ride in the street. The safest place is on a roadway that has a bike lane marked or on a bicycle path.

Before you get on your bike, make sure it is safe to ride. Have a parent or guardian check your brakes and tire pressure, and make sure your handlbars do not wobble. Make sure your bike is the right size for you.

Brightly colored clothes make it easier for drivers to see you during the day. Always wear white or reflective clothing when riding at night. Always wear a helmet when riding your bicycle. Make sure your shoelaces are tied, and tuck in jacket strings and backpack straps so they don't get caught in the moving parts of the bicycle.

Whether you ride your bike on the sidewalk or on the street, remember that pedestrians always have the right of way. When you ride your bike in the street, you must follow the same rules of the road motorists do. A police officer can stop you on your bicycle if he thinks you are not riding safely. He can also ticket you if you are not riding with the law.

Bicycle Rules of the Road

1. If you ride on the street, always ride on the right side in single file. Ride your bike with traffic, go in the same direction as the vehicles.

2. When you ride in the street, allow four feet between you and parked cars. Someone could open a car door into you.

3. Watch for loose gravel, glass, potholes, or sewer grating on the road or sidewalk. Before you go around anything, look ahead and behind you.

4. Never grab and ride a moving car.

5. Be careful near driveways. Cars could be pulling backing out or pulling into the driveway.

6. Be careful near alleys. Always look both ways before crossing.

7. If you ride at night, your bike must have a headlight visible for at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the rear visible for 100 to 600 feet.

The Shorewood Police Department offers traffic safety presentations for children, to schools and community groups and support programs for bicycle rodeos. For a presentation, contact the department at 725-1460. Thr Shorewood Police Department also provides copies of Bicycle Rules of the Road.