Menu
BALLARD Columbia Owner's Manual
                               | |
2 3SAFETY EQUIPMENTWARNING: Many states require speciic safety devices.It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with thelaws of the state where you ride and to comply with allapplicable laws, including properly equipping yourselfand your bike as the law requires.1. HELMETWhile not all states require bicyclists to wear approvedprotective headgear, common sense dictates that youshould wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet whetherthe law requires it or not. Most serious bicycle injuriesinvolve head injuries which might have been avoided ifthe rider had worn a helmet. Your dealer has a varietyof attractive helmets, and can recommend one to suit yourneeds. Your helmet must it correctly, be worn correctlyand be properly secured to do its real job. Ask your dealerto help you with the it and adjustment of your helmet.WARNING: Always wear a helmet when riding your bike.Always keep the chin strap securely buckled. Failure towear an approved helmet may result in serious injury ordeath.2. REFLECTORSRelectors are important safety devices which are designedas an integral part of your bicycle. Federal regulationsrequire every bicycle to be equipped with front, rear,wheel and pedal relectors. The size, performance andlocation of each relector is speciied by the U.S. ConsumerProducts Safety Commission. The relectors are designedto pick up and relect car lights in a way that helps you tobe seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.CAUTION: Check relectors and their mounting brack-ets regularly to make sure that they are clean, straight,unbroken and securely mounted. Have your dealerreplace damaged relectors and straighten or tightenany that are bent or loose.WARNING: Do not remove the relectors or relectormounting brackets from your bicycle. They are an inte-gral part of the bicycle’s safety system. Removing therelectors may reduce your visibility to others using theroadway. Being struck by other vehicles often results inserious injury or death.Remember: relectors are not a substitute for lights.Always equip your bicycle with all state and locallymandated lights.3. LIGHTSWe strongly recommend that children not ride after duskor before daylight. If you must ride your bike after duskor before full daylight, your bicycle must be equippedwith lights so that you can see the road and avoid roadhazards; and so that others can see you. Vehicle lawstreat bicycles like any other vehicle. That means you musthave a white front and a red rear light operating if you areriding after dusk or before full daylight. Your bike dealercan recommend a battery or generator powered lightingsystem appropriate to your needs.WARNING: Relectors are not a substitute for properlights. It is your responsibility to equip your bicycle withall state and locally mandated lights. Riding at dawn,at dusk, at night or at other times of poor visibilitywithout a bicycle lighting system which meets local andstate laws and without relectors is dangerous and mayresult in serious injury or death.4. PEDALSSome higher performance model bicycles come equippedwith pedals that have sharp and potentially dangeroussurfaces. These surfaces are designed to add safety byincreasing adhesion between the rider’s shoe and thebicycle pedal.If your bicycle has this type of high-performance pedalyou must take extra care to avoid serious injury from thepedals’ sharp surfaces.Based on your riding style or skill level, you may prefer aless aggressive pedal design. Your dealer can show you anumber of options and make suitable recommendations.MECHANICAL SAFETY CHECKHere is a simple, sixty-second mechanical safetycheck which you should get in the habit of makingevery time you’re about to get on a bike.1. NUTS & BOLTSLift the front wheel off the ground by two or threeinches, then let it bounce on the ground. Anythingsound, feel or look loose? Do a quick visual and tactileinspection of the whole bike. Any loose parts oraccessories? If so, secure them. If you’re not sure, asksomeone with experience to check.2. TIRES & WHEELSTires correctly inlated? Check by putting one hand onthe saddle, one on the intersection of the handlebarsand stem, then bouncing your weight on the bike whilelooking at tire delection. Compare what you see withhow it looks when you know the tires are correctlyInlated; and adjust if necessary.Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and lookfor cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace damagedtires before riding the bike.Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brakeclearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobblesside to side or hits the brake pads, take the bike to aqualiied bike shop to have the wheel trued.BICYCLESAFETYBICYCLESAFETYWRONG WAYRIGHT WAY |
This manual is suitable for:
Product
Learn More
Legal
Copyright © 2024 OneStart. All Rights Reserved