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LearningTranscript
00:00Hey, watch where you're going!
00:10Gee whiz, don't you know how to signal?
00:18Pass on the left, not the right!
00:26And that's what you get for ignoring the rules of the road!
00:32Dear Tim and Moby, I just got a new bike and I want to ride safely. What should I do?
00:38From Caitlin.
00:40Hey Caitlin, congratulations on your new bike!
00:43I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it, as long as you take a few simple precautions.
00:47Robots can ride around like maniacs and crash into stuff.
00:51They don't feel pain and repairs are quick and easy.
00:55But when people aren't careful, they can get seriously hurt.
00:59The first thing you should do is adjust your bike so it fits you properly.
01:03If you don't do this, you'll be uncomfortable.
01:06That can distract you while you're riding and lead to serious pain.
01:10Your seat should be completely level so it doesn't tilt forward or backward.
01:15And it should be high enough so there's only a slight bend in your knee when you push the pedals all the way down.
01:21Your handlebars should be at the same level as your seat.
01:25Make sure that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure.
01:29And before you go anywhere, test your brakes to make sure they work.
01:34Otherwise...
01:40Moving on, you need to wear proper gear, especially a helmet.
01:45Well, you've got a metal head, so you don't need a helmet.
01:48And you're bright orange, so you're cool as far as clothing goes.
01:52But humans might want to wear a brightly colored shirt or even a safety vest.
01:57And they should always put reflectors or reflective tape on the front and backs of their bikes, as well as on the wheels and pedals.
02:05As far as helmets go, there are lots of different styles.
02:08You can choose whichever you like best, as long as it fits properly.
02:13Make sure both the helmet and the straps are snug, but not too tight.
02:17And be sure to wear it fairly low on your forehead, just one or two finger widths above your eyebrows.
02:23Right, once you've got the proper gear, you can hit the road.
02:27Of course, if you're younger than 10 years old, you might be safer biking on the sidewalk if you can.
02:32And whatever age you are, you shouldn't go out riding at night.
02:36Now, if you do bike on the street, you need to follow the rules of the road, just like any other vehicle.
02:42You've got to obey all road signs and signals.
02:46If there's a bicycle lane, stay inside that.
02:49If there isn't one, stay on the right side of the road so cars can pass you on the left.
02:55And no matter what, don't ride against traffic.
02:58Cross the street only at intersections. If you scoot out from between two parked cars, drivers won't see you coming.
03:05If you're turning from a quiet side street onto a busier road, be sure to stop and wait for a gap in the traffic.
03:13Don't just head out into the intersection or...
03:20Yeah.
03:22Actually, if you want to be even safer, you can learn some hand signals to let people know when you're turning.
03:28This is how you signal a left turn.
03:32Here's a right turn.
03:35And this means you're stopping.
03:39Of course, the most important bicycle safety tip is actually the simplest.
03:44Stay alert.
03:46To be safe, you've got to be aware of your surroundings.
03:49If you listen to music or talk on the phone, you won't be able to hear approaching cars and other hazards.
03:55Always keep your hands on the handlebars so you can quickly steer away from obstacles.
04:00And be on the lookout for anything in the street that might make you crash.
04:05Even minor stuff like storm drains, puddles, and gravel can cause accidents.
04:10You should also know what's going on to your left and right.
04:13Like pedestrians crossing the street and people opening their...
04:18car doors.
04:20Anyway, if you follow this advice, you should have a safe, fun time riding your bike.
04:25Cycling is great exercise, and you can get where you need to go without polluting the air.
04:31So, Moby, did you learn anything today?
04:34What do you mean helmets mess up your hair?
04:37I wear a helmet every time I ride, and my hair looks great.
04:43Whatever. At least I have hair.
04:48Your piece does not impress me.