BYCYCLE Happy Sharing

Choosing the correct bicycle size

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  Ordinary bicycle

  A man should be able to place the toes of one foot on the ground with the other foot on the pedal. A woman should be able to place the toes of both feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle in a comfortable position.

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  Mountain bike

  The main purpose of a mountain bike is to ride on unpaved roads. This requires a stable bike that is easy to control, and slightly smaller in size than a road bike for the same rider. When the cyclist straddles the bicycle, there should be a space of 8cm or more to the frame.

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  Bicycle for road or long-distance touring

  For a bicycle designed for long distance touring on paved roads, there should be a space of 3 to 5 cm between the upper part of the bicycle (top tube) and the cyclist when he straddles it.

Bicycle inspection and maintenance

Checking your bicycle

Simple Maintenance

• Wipe off dirt and foreign substances from the frame.
• Use a wet rag to wipe off the frame and then use a dry rag to dry it.
• Metal parts, except for the wheel rim, should be cleaned with a greasy rag.
• Tighten all loose bolts and nuts.
• Lubricate the chain, gears, brake levers, cable and other parts as necessary.

Inflating tires

Types of valves on inner tubes

• French-style(Presta)valves
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    Air pressure can be easily controlled.

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    The nut at the tip is loos-ened to inflate and then tightened again.

• British-style (Dunlop or Woods) valves
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    Mainly used in ordinary bicycles air pressure con-trol is difficult.

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    The rubber tubing inside the valve needs to be replaced if it has deteriorated.

• US-style (Shrader) valves
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    Same as automobile tire valves; durability is excel-lent.

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    Press the pin inside the valve to release air pres-sure.

Correct air pressure

Make sure you pump the tire to the correct air pressure using the gauge on the pump, or by checking the firmness of the tire by hand.

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  Check the maximum air pressure stated as MAX '00' PSI on the side of the tire before inflating. Pump up to about 80% of the max air pressure.

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  If the air pressure is too high, it causes the tire to vibrate, and if the air pressure is too low, the tire is easily punctured.

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  After achieving the correct air pres-sure with the help of an air pressure gauge, feel the firmness of the tire so that you can recognize the correct pressure by hand in the future.

Correct use of the bicycle pump

After attaching the head of the pump to the valve, lift up the lever on the pump head to fixx it to the valve.

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  Do not pump if the lever has not been secured.

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  The pump has to be well secured so that the pump head and valve do not move around.

Bicycle-related traffic safety signs and hand signals

Traffic safety signs

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  Exclusive bicycle route

  Only bicycles are permitted: no pedestrians and nothing that interferes with bicycle passage is allowed.

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  Exclusive bicycle lane

  Only bicycles are permitted.

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  Side by side cycling

  Two or more bicycles are permitted to ride side by side.

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  Bicycle and pedestrian path

  Both bicycles and pedestrians are permitted; cyclists have to watch out for pedestrians.

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  Separate bicycle and pedestrian lanes

  Both bicycles and pedestrians are permitted, with separate lanes for each.

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  Bicycle parking

  Shows where bicycles may be parked. If a bicycle is left in an unauthorized location on a road or public place, or where it interferes with traffic, it is subject to removal and disposal.

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  Bicycle crossing

  For cycling across the road. No pedestrians are allowed. In the event that there is no sign for a bicycle crossing, the cyclist should dismount and walk across.

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  Pavement marking for bicycle crossing

  Bicycles are permitted to cross the road.

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  Pavement marking for bicycle traffic

  Only bicycles are permitted on the marked lane or Path.

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  Watch out for bicycles

  Informs that there is lots of bicycle traffic.

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  No cycling

  Bicycles are prohibited.

Hand signals

The cyclist should use hand signals to show changes in direction, and continue the signal until the movement is completed.

Lett turn

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  To signal a left turn, stretch out your left arm horizontally, or raise your right hand, 30m before reaching the intersection (100m on an expressway).

Right turn

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  To signal a right turn, stretch out your right arm horizontally, or raise your left hand, 30m before reaching the intersection (100m on an expressway).

To signal stopping

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  To signal stopping, stretch your lett arm downward at a 45 degree angle.

To signal the vehicle behind to pass

To signal the vehicle behind to pass, straighten your lett arm and wave it back and forth.

To signal slowing down

To signal slowing down, stretch your lett arm downward at a 45 degree angle and shake it up and down.