Bicycle

When using a bike it is important that you follow the Highway Code and that you wear a helmet and visible clothing at all times.
When riding your bike at dusk, dawn in the dark you need to have a white front light and red rear light fixed to your bike and you need to wear reflective clothing.
It is also vital that you keep your bike well maintained so it is safe to ride. You need to make sure that:

• The chain is well oiled.
• Tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.
• Brake cables are undamaged and tight enough to be effective.
• The saddle and handle bars are fixed securely and at the right height for you to ride the bike.
• Front and rear wheel nuts are securely fastened.
• Front (white) and rear (red) reflectors are attached to bike and clean.

The most common repair you will need to carry out on your bike is repairing punctures. Puncture repair kits are available from most petrol stations and bike shops.

To repair a puncture you need to:

• Remove the wheel from the bike by turning both wheel nuts anti-clockwise at the same time in opposite directions.
• Then remove the Tyre using Tyre levers, being careful not to cause any more damage to the inner
• tube.
• Unscrew nut holding inner tube valve in place and remove inner tube.
• Inflate inner tube and place in bowl of water to locate the hole, mark with a wax crayon.
• Follow manufactures instructions for applying repair patch to inner tube.
• Check repair has worked by checking for leaks with a bowl of water.
• Check the inside of Tyre for any sharp objects still lodged in rubber that may have caused the puncture, and remove them.
• Replace deflated inner tube back into wheel and screw valve back into place.
• Attach Tyre back to wheel using Tyre levers, again being careful not to damage inner tube.
• Attach wheel to bike and inflate Tyre to the correct pressure.