Makes sure instructors have thorough knowledge of safety practices, equipment use and maintenance, and technique.

Reviews the rules and operating procedures with the girls before each session.

Makes sure the safety rules are written, understood, practiced, and posted at the site.

Secures all equipment in a dry, locked storage area.

Makes sure girls and adults avoid wearing jewelry, especially pierced earrings, looped earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in contact sports or where jewelry may become entangled in equipment.

Makes sure a list of emergency telephone numbers, including those for emergency rescue ser vices and the police, is posted or carried by the adult in charge.

Teaches girls to take shelter away from tall objects in a storm with lightning and thunder. Find the lowest point in an open flat area.. Squat low to the ground on the balls of the feet. Have girls place their hands on their knees with their heads between them. Instruct girls to make themselves the smallest targets possible and to minimize their contact with the ground.

Instruction is given by an adult with experience, knowledge, and skill in teaching and/or supervising bicycling.

Girls are instructed in and practice bicycle-riding skills in traffic, including signaling, scanning ahead and behind (especially before moving left), yielding to oncoming traffic, and making left turns.

The length and terrain of a trip, day or extended, are appropriate to the girls’ skill level, their experience, and their physical condition, as well as the time of day, the weather, and the equipment available.

Following are some general tips for preparing for a trip and being on the road:

Obtain bike route maps or lists of recommended bike routes that many states publish.

Obtain bicycle licenses where required (some localities license the bike, not the cyclist).

Review the route and practice map-reading skills before departure. Be sure to take the map.

Make careful plans for the type of road to be traveled. For example, secondary roads are quiet, but may have trees, curves, and hills that obstruct visibility.

Ride bicycles only during day light hours.

Participants are taught to recognize and avoid common hazards, including vertical drain grates, sand, gravel, glass, wet leaves, and litter on shoulders, and other road- surface hazards, to communicate and cooperate with other road users, and to ride defensively. Motor vehicle traffic presents the greatest danger to cyclists; hazards such as oil, wet leaves, parked cars, and rocks cause the majority of cycling accidents.

Participants practice bicycling with a load comparable in weight to the load on the trip.

Participants learn to brake before they have to, especially on curves and down hills. Emergency braking techniques are taught.

Participants cycle single file with traffic; it is acceptable to ride briefly two abreast when passing a slower bicyclist.

Except when on bicycle paths, participants travel in groups of five or six, allowing at least 150 feet between groups so that vehicles may pass.

Participants ride one to a bicycle except when riding tandem. In tandem riding, each girl has her own seat and the number of riders doesn’t exceed the intended limits of the bicycle.

For every two groups, there is an adult at the head and another at the rear.

Participants ride with the flow of traffic and obey applicable traffic regulations, signals, lane markings, and local ordinances pertaining to bicycle operation.

Bicyclists do not weave in and out of traffic or between parked cars.

Light gear is stored in bicycle panniers or packs on the back of the bike.

Bicyclists make a full stop and look left, right, and left again, especially at the end of a driveway, before entering a street or roadway.

Bicycles are walked across busy intersections.

Bicyclists use hand signals to indicate turning or stopping.

Bicyclists keep a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead.

Bicycles have lights and reflectors. When bicycles are not on segregated bicycle paths, lights are on to increase visibility.

Participants wear comfortable, close-fitting clothing that cannot catch in the gears or the chain; they use pant clips or bands if needed.

Participants wear reflective or very light colored clothes when cycling at dusk.

Participants wear bright colored or fluorescent clothing during the day.

Participants wear layers of clothing on extended trips and carry extra clothes and rain gear.

Bicycle helmets are worn to pre vent head injuries. Purchase helmets that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard.

Helmets are sized properly to fit comfortably but snugly. The helmet should be worn level on the head. It should not move in any direction when the chin strap is securely fastened

Each bicycle group carries a repair kit containing a pump, a tire patch kit, tire irons, a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, pliers, and lubricating fluids.

Each bike is in working order, including horn or bell, headlamp, taillight, and reflectors.

Observe all state and local regulations.

Use designated bicycle trails when ever possible.

Select bicycle trails with even surfaces.

Avoid routes involving heavily traveled streets and highways.

Notify jurisdictional authorities about the group’s trip, when necessary.

Know the location of emergency and medical services along the route in advance.

A first-aider is present.

Provide a detailed itinerary and an established call-in schedule for each day.

Carry a list of emergency phone numbers and addresses of bike repair shops.

Carry identification at all times.

Be capable of emergency maneuvers (for example, panic stop, rock dodge, instant turn).

Conditioning your body before the tour is important. Long-distance, overnight touring can involve many hours of cycling, sometimes in difficult terrain and with more weight than on day trips.

Adjust bicycles frequently for com fort. Check the handlebars after adjusting the seat for proper leg extension.

Use padded handlebars or wear cycling gloves to soften road vibrations.

Carry two or three water bottles each and drink frequently. Avoid carbonated beverages.

Do not stop cycling abruptly. After stopping, cool down gradually by walking around for a few minutes.

Learn to listen to your body and do not push past your endurance level.