All about helmets!

A bike helmet that fits you properly will feel better — and do its job in case of a crash. But how do you select the right size bike helmet?

To find your bike helmet size, measure the circumference of your head using a cloth tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler. Be sure to measure horizontally across your brow and over your ears. Most helmets come with a size guide (or you can find one online), so make sure to measure your head before you go to save some time!

You also want to look for a helmet that matches your style of riding. Road bike helmets are designed to be lightweight, well ventilated and aerodynamic. Mountain bike helmets often offer extended rear head coverage to account for collisions with objects on off-road trails. If you’re an everyday commuter or recreational rider, look for helmets that are well-ventilated with an adjustable tightening wheel and visor to help shield some sun.

Get the right fit

Put your helmet level on your head (not tilted back) with the front edge two fingers above your eyebrows. This helps protect your forehead.

If your helmet has one, tighten the rear adjustment dial until the helmet no longer wobbles or slips. It’s important to have your helmet properly positioned before tightening it.

Next buckle the chin strap. The straps should join right under your ear to form a “V”. Adjust the straps around both ears so they are not twisted and it’s comfortable. You can use your pointer and middle fingers to form a “V” around your ears to figure out the best position — snug but not too tight. Put those same two fingers together and put them between the strap and your chin. There should be enough room for two fingers. Any tighter and you may have trouble breathing, talking or drinking water while riding, any looser and your helmet can easily be knocked to the side.

A helmet that fits correctly should be comfortable and will not move forward (obscuring your vision) or backward (exposing your forehead.) A comfortable helmet is a helmet that you’ll actually wear!

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Driving Safely around People Biking

Savannah’s level topography, dense urban form, and warm weather make it a great place to get around by bike. However, Savannah also has a high rate of traffic crashes involving people on bikes.

Tips for Safe Driving Near Bicyclists

React to bicyclists as you would any other vehicle. You wouldn’t drive inches next to another car, so why would you drive so close to a person on a bike?

Don’t park in bike lanes or blocking access to multiuse paths. It may just be “for a minute”, but that minute could be the difference in someone biking safely to their destination and being put in unnecessary conflict with another driver.

If there is oncoming traffic, slow down and wait to pass until traffic clears.

  • Check for bicyclists in your blind spots
  • When driving a larger vehicle, allow extra room for mirrors, extended wheel wells, trailers, etc.
  • Large profile vehicles can create a windblast, which can knock a bicyclist off the road
  • Return to your lane when the bicyclist is in your rearview mirror
  • Do not attempt to “squeeze by”

Do not past a bicyclist before a red light or stop sign, hill, or immediately before you make a right turn.

Give at least 3 feet of space! According to the updated 3 ft to pass law, updated July 2021:

  • A driver passing a person on a bike should change lanes if road and traffic conditions allow
    • Includes allowance to pass on a double yellow when conditions are safe to do so
    • No passing into blind turns, blind hills, or oncoming traffic
  • When it is not safe to change lanes, a driver is required to slow down to 25 mph or 10 mph below the posted speed limit, whichever is greater, to execute a safe pass within the lane and shared space
  • Violations of the law carry a maximum fine of $250 as a misdemeanor offense
  • Under Georgia law, a video recording of an act is valid as a witness for enforcement of violations

Don’t drive distracted or under the influence. Again, it’s the law!

Consider driving conditions. Whether it’s raining or sunny, there’s something happening that can influence your driving. Make sure to slow down or give yourself extra room if you need it, and consider pulling over rather than powering through if conditions are dangerous.

Avoid illegal courtesies, like encouraging someone to ride through a stop sign in front of you. They may be able to see further down the street than you, or may take more time to get rolling, which can cause everyone to get frustrated.

Know where kids are biking. Children may not know the rules of the road so slow down and pay extra attention when driving in areas where children can be expected.

Interested in learning more about being a Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Driver? Sign up for an upcoming class or view our webinar here!

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Pedestrian safety can be a two way street. Interested in learning how to be a bike and pedestrian friendly driver? Sign up for our next webinar!

Read on for some Pedestrian Safety Tips from Bike Walk Savannah.

  1. Walk on the Sidewalk
    If there are no sidewalks, walk as close to the left side of the street as safe, facing traffic.
  2. Cross at the Corner
    Cross at intersections or street corners for the most visibility, unless directed to a mid-block crossing by signage or markings. When possible, cross between white painted crosswalk lines.
  3. Obey Traffic Signals
    Before stepping out into the street, be sure to look at all traffic signals — don’t rush!
  4. Look Left, Right, Left
    Make sure traffic has come to a complete stop, and that you can fully see the street and any drivers. Don’t forget to look the wrong way down one-way streets, especially downtown!
  5. Watch for Turning Traffic
    Try to make eye contact with any drivers, especially those who may be turning. Watch for right turns on red!
  6. Be Careful around Driveways
    Check for signs that someone may be driving backwards, including brake lights or reverse lights. Drivers often move without checking as much as they should when they are in their own driveway.
  7. Aim to be Seen
    Avoid wearing dark-colored clothing at night or in inclement weather, or use reflective materials and carry a light. This may not always be possible due to required uniforms for work, so if you do have to wear darker clothes try to stick to well-lit routes.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Driver Webinar

This webinar will delve into the laws pertaining to people biking and walking and how the design of our streets makes them safer for all users. Participants who take a short quiz at the end of the webinar will receive a certificate of participation.

The webinar will be geared towards biking, walking or driving in Savannah, but have lessons applicable for all street users no matter where you are. Registration is free, but required. https://bit.ly/2TYwMrs

Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Driver Webinar

On Thursday, May 21, Bike Walk Savannah will host a Bicycle & Pedestrian Friendly Driver webinar. This webinar will delve into the laws pertaining to people biking and walking and how the design of our streets makes them safer for all users. Participants who take a short quiz at the end of the webinar will receive a certificate of participation.

The webinar will be geared towards biking, walking or driving in Savannah, but have lessons applicable for all street users no matter where you are. Registration is free, but required.

August Smart Cycling Class: Traffic Skills 101

Do you know all you need to know to safely ride a bike with traffic? Do you feel you know enough to teach your children how to ride cautiously and conspicuously while on their own? When you drive your car, are you confident on how to share the road with people on bikes?

The Smart Cycling program gives you the tips, tools, and techniques to confidently to answer YES to each question. Our classes are taught by League of American Bicyclists certified instructors.

The class will be held on Saturday, August 10, from 2-6 p.m. All participants must have their own bikes and helmets. If you do not have a helmet, you can purchase one from us for a very low price. You must be 16 years or older to take this class. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who is also registered for the class. Participants must successfully complete the online portion of the class before August 10. Additional information will be provided after registration. Snacks and water will be provided.

FAQs

What is the refund policy?

Registration is not refundable, but is transferable for use at a future class or as a donation to Bike Walk Savannah.

Attend our July Cycle Social and find out why “the rules of the road are designed to be broken”

Due to the expected hot weather, we are adjusting the format of Cycle Social on Tuesday, July 21 at 6 p.m. again this month. We’ll meet at SBC headquarters, 1301 Lincoln Street, for pizza and beverages (on us!) and talk about what your Savannah Bicycle Campaign is doing to make Savannah better for bicycling. We’ll also have a provocative presentation.

PiatkowskiDr. Daniel Piatkowski will present, “The rules of the road are designed to be broken,” in which he’ll provide a brief history of why we design our roads so dangerously and why everyone breaks the law. He will also report on some of the descriptive statistics emerging from the Scofflaw Biking Survey he conducted earlier this year with colleagues from the University of Colorado Denver. Piatkowski is an assistant professor of urban studies and planning at Savannah State University.

If the weather is cool enough after the presentation, we’ll go for a ride. If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P. to john@bicyclecampaign.org to ensure we have enough food and drink on hand.

June 24 lecture explores five ways to make bicycling a healthy part of your daily life

encouragehealthJohn Bennett, executive director of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, will detail Five Ways to Make Bicycling a Healthy Part of Your Daily Life as the third of five lectures in the Enmark Encourage Health Education Series. Proceeds from this lecture will go to the Savannah Bicycle Campaign.

Bennett will discuss changing how to think about bicycles and bicycling, how to get started, safety equipment, accessories to consider, and the resurgence of the city bike.

This Enmark Encourage Health presentation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Savannah Morning News, located at 1375 Chatham Parkway in Savannah. Lunch and lecture tickets are $20. Checks should be made payable to the benefiting charity for this lecture; Savannah Bicycle Campaign. Tickets may also be purchased online.

The Savannah Bicycle Campaign will also be raising funds on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Enmark Station located at 7406 Waters Ave from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this “Enmark Dollar Day” there will be opportunities for the Savannah Bicycle Campaign to receive $1 for every car wash, $1 at their charity table and $1 donations will be accepted at the Enmark cash registers.

More information.