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Breathe (cont.)
2. Begin With Exhalation
Observe your breath but reverse your conception of the breath cycle
and begin each breath with the exhalation. So you breathe out, in, out,
in. This will give you greater control over the breathing process.
3. The Relaxaing Breath
Inhale quietly through your nose to a count of 4; hold your breathe for
a count of 7; and exhale noisely through your mouth for a count of 8.
The exhale should make a swoosh sound. At first only do four cycles. After
a month you can increase to eight cycles.
You can do these breathing exercises whenever you need
to calm down, but they are most effective at reducing your overall stress
level if done daily.
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Cyclist/Drivers (cont.)
• Be predictable. Avoid sudden swerves and stops.
• Yield to pedestrians.
• Watch for road hazards.
• Position yourself appropriately. On wide roads, ride 3-4 feet
to the right of the cars in the traffic lane. On narrow roads, stay
just inside the traffic lane so vehicles must cross the centerline to
pass you. Allow enough room for a door to open when passing parked cars.
Stay at least a foot from the curb to avoid curb debris. For turns,
move into the proper lane 150 feet before the turn.
• Ride defensively and respectfully.
Safety Tips for Drivers
• Drive cautiously and reduce your speed when approaching cyclists.
• In bad weather or situations potentially dangerous to cyclists,
give cyclists extra room when behind or passing them.
• Yield the appropriate right of way to cyclists. They are considered
vehicles and may take the entire lane if road conditions warrant it.
• Be considerate. Be watchful for cyclists when you are driving,
do not blast your horn when close to cyclists, and watch for cyclists
when opening your doors.
• Pass with care. Pass when conditions are safe to do so and leave
at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the cyclist. Check over your
shoulder after passing the cyclist before moving back to the normal
lane position.
• Watch for children. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable,
unfamiliar with traffic laws, and harder to see.
BikeEd Courses
Want to learn more on how to ride a bicycle safely and how to teach
your children to ride cautiously on their own? The American League of
Bicyclists offers a series of BikeEd safety courses led by certified
League cycling instructors throughout the United States. To find a BikeEd
course in your area, visit website www.bikeleague.org. Click on “Programs”
and then “Bike Education.”
Sources: “Share the Road” and “Bike
to Work,” League of American Bicyclists, www.bikeleague.org.
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