1. Always wear a helmet (lead by example, how can you make your kids wear a helmet if you don’t)
2. Always ride in control as well as your kids (if your kids ride out of control, they could cause an accident and injure others in addition to themselves)
3. Wear riding gloves (they’re not just super cool accessories for guys driving Camaros or 911’s – riding gloves protect your palms in case of a fall)
4. Ride single file on streets and roads (common sense – cars are big, you are small)
5. Ride single file on trails (if you are being approached by another rider, pedestrian, runner or skater, please get single file – it’s trail etiquette)
6. Ride far to the right on streets and roads (common sense again – cars are big, you are small)
7. Use hand signals when riding on streets or in groups
8. Keep at least two bike lengths between adult riders and one bike length between you and your kids
9. Carry a first aid kit
10. Carry a tire patch kit, spare tube and pump (please be sure to know how to change a tube, patch a tire and repair a chain – or have a local bike shop on speed dial)
11. Pull all the way off the street or trail if you are stopping (whether it’s a breakdown, reading a map or taking a water break please move out of traffic)
12. Bring your cell phone (shut it off if possible and use for emergencies)
13. Carry water (and don’t forget to bring some for your kids)
14. Obey traffic signs
15. Down shift before you come to a stop (you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of an intersection frantically trying to find a lower gear as a car is bearing down on you…not good)