Penn State Emergency Medical Services

Penn State EMS Standard Operating Procedures and Constitution

University Ambulance Service
Centre County Company 20
Procedures Manual

 E M S   B I C Y C L E   T R A I N I N G   G U I D E L I N E S

Part I	

1.  EMTs on bicycles - Why?
- Accessibility
- Coverage area
- Visibility

2.  Rules of the road 
- PA Vehicle code 
- A bicycle is a VEHICLE 
- Hand signals

3.  Safety 
- Environmental factors: gravel, holes, glass, rain, dogs 
- Cars

4.  Helmet fitting 
- Straps secure. M fingers between strap and chin 
- Covers forehead, just above eyebrow line

5.  Bicycle mechanics 
- Tires: pressure on sidewall 
- Quick releases secure 
- Chain: lubricated 
- Brakes: cables, pads, position 
- Overall check

6.  Bicycle equipment 
- Helmet 
- Attire 
- Shorts: padded 
- Sunglasses 
- Gloves 
- Ankle strap 
- Water bottle: HYDRATION 
- Snacks

PART II
1.  Slow speed riding
2.  High speed stopping
3.  Cornering
4.  Steps and bumps
5.  Contact with another rider
6.  Hand signals

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From:  Bike Rides from Beaver Stadium by Scott Adams

KEEP SAFETY IN MIND

	Unfortunately, despite what many of us may think, immortality is not a
strong point of the human race. As cyclists we have to be extra careful about where
and how we ride. We must always watch for sewer grates, potholes, sand, gravel
patches, railroad tracks, dogs, and the list goes on.
	Automobiles can probably take credit for the majority of serious injuries
cyclists receive and although many people have less to fear from a passing vehicle
than they think, nearly 100% of all fatal injuries involve a car.
	Considering all the risks, cycling is still a healthy and safe activity. We, as
cyclists, simply need to know how to reduce and avoid the risks involved. For
starters, buy and wear a good safety helmet on every ride. About 1/3 of all cycling
related fatalities result from head injuries. Therefore, the helmet should meet the
ANSI or SNELL requirements for safety and should fit upon your head properly.
MAny good bike store will help choose and fit the right helmet for you. There are
several good helmets currently on the market that meet the required safety
standards which are both light weight and stylish. Some top-rated names are Bell,
Giro, and Specialized. Nowadays, it seems everyone is using helmets. This may be,
in part, because of the tremendous rise in comfort and quality in recent years.
	Always take care to ride as close to the right side of the road as you can. Use
good judgement of course. If there is a shoulder, try riding to the right of the white
line on the shoulder. Keep in mind, shoulders are often littered with gravel and
many roads in this area don't have shoulders at all. Again, use your best judgement.
	Many roads you will be riding on are narrow and winding with blind hills
and blind curves. Although nearly all the roads are lightly traveled, be on guard. If a
car is following close behind you and the road is very narrow, or you come upon a
blind hill, cautiously move to the center of your lane, thus signaling the driver not
to pass. Hugging the right side of the road will only invite a driver to try to squeeze
past, often with frightening results.
	Ride at least a yard from parked cars to allow for opening car doors. Also,
when traveling along a road with parked cars, ride in a straight line down the street
so that you always stay in the motorist's line of vision. It's Wise to assume that the
driver of any approaching car from either direction cannot see you. Wear bright
clothing so that you are as visible as possible even in bright daylight. Remember,
our eyes are attracted to movement, but if a motorist's eyes don't see any movement
because we are invisible to them then the situation can become gruesome.
       Try to finish any ride you go on before it gets dark. If you do expect to get caught
riding at dusk, remember to bring reflective clothing and a light. There are reflective
vests that are easily stuffed away in a jersey pocket or a bag and most bike lights can
be clipped on and off easily. The lights are not so much for you to see with, but for
you to be seen by motorists.
       Dogs can be very disquieting if you happen to intrude upon their turf. They are
generally not out for blood although their fierceness may be startling to an unaware
cyclist who happens to stray into their territory. Don't be bothered by their bark as
their bite is often harmless, but do act cautiously. If you think you can't outrun the
dog, stop and walk your bike out of its territory. A loud yell to Get! or Go Home!
often works as does a sharp squirt from your water bottle right between the eyes.
       One of the most important things to remember as a cyclist is that a bicycle, by
law, is considered a vehicle. This means that you, the cyclist, are responsible for
obeying the same rules of the road as a driver of a motor vehicle. A big problem
State College police have with bicyclists is riding on the wrong side of the road
against traffic. Because bicycles are considered vehicles, bicyclists must ride with the
traffic (not against it!) just as you would in a car. You must also obey all traffic signs.
This includes stop signs and stop lights. Realize also, most drivers aren't expecting
bicyclists to be on their roads and many drivers would prefer that cyclists stay off t
roads altogether. Therefore, it is important to always signal your turns, just as you
would if you were driving. This lets the motorist behind or in front of you know
your intentions.

THE LAWS OF BICYCLING

       Both the University and State College Borough require all bicycles to be
registered each year. It's important to have this done and to keep your registration
current. Failure to do this can result in a fine if you are stopped by the police.
Ultimately, the most important reason to have your bike registered is that it is the
single most effective way for the police to locate your bike if it has been stolen.
       You may register your bike at any of the information booths on campus free of
charge, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The
bicycle may be registered at Police Services at any other time. Also, you can register
your bike at a bike shop or at one of the municipal buildings, but there will be a
charge.
       I'd like to outline a few of the laws in Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code book that I
feel will be important for you to know especially well. (See Appendix B for a copy of
chapter 35, subchapter A.)
       Bicycles are legally classified as vehicles in the state of Pennsylvania. This means
that as a bicyclist, you will be considered a vehicle and will be subject, just like a
motorist, to all of the duties and responsibilities that come with operating a vehicle.
As I mentioned earlier, this includes stopping at stop signs riding your bike with
traffic (not against traffic) and staying off the sidewalks.
	If you are a cyclist who frequently rides with others in groups, you need to be
aware of your right to ride side-by-side unless impeding traffic. It is safer, when
riding with other cyclists, to ride single file along the right side of the road, but
section 3505 does allow you to ride side-by-side, just no more than two abreast.
Motorists are generally not aware of this rule and give cyclists a hard time for riding
this way. If a car is coming from behind, go single file so the motorist may pass
without problems.
	Except for controlled access highways a bicycle is entitled to all the same roads
as cars, but, is unfortunately, rarely given the same consideration. By being a
responsible cyclist who does not abuse the rights to ride on open roads and one who
follows the rules, you can set a good example for all of us as we cycle along.
	Undoubtedly, if you ride often enough, you will experience some harassment,
but this is generally nothing more than a few unpleasant gestures. If you are
confronted by a motorist, it isn't wise to be a smart-aleck. Remember. theY drive a
much bigger vehicle. You should, however, know what you are entitled to by law so
that you may use your rights in your defense and politely explain that you were
doing nothing wrong. Remember, a lot of motorists won't believe that you're
entitled to the roads at all, so it's to your benefit to know your rights and to practice
your responsibilities. And remember, if you don't like the laws, work to change
them. That's how the laws we have were created in the first place.

ACCIDENTS

	Accidents will happen. Let's just hope they don't happen to you. If you do get
into an accident, then know that you must stop, identify yourself, and render aid to
anyone that may be injured. Any accident should be reported to the police
immediately.
	Also, consider that a bicyclist can be "involved" in an accident without
physically contacting a pedestrian or motor vehicle. If a car passes a cyclist and
collides with another car in the oncoming lane, the cyclist may be legally involved.
	Just as the motorist who caused an accident is held responsible for damages,
so too is a cyclist who causes an accident. The cyclist can be held responsible for all
damages incurred and may be required by the court to pay any compensations
necessary. For this reason, it's a good idea to have liability insurance. This is found
on most homeowner's or tenant's insurance policies.
	If you are injured or your bike is damaged by a car collision while riding,
automobile insurance should be able to cover some of the costs. Just remember, if
you are in an accident, get from whomever else is involved all the necessary
information for insurance purposes.
	Accidents are just that - accidents. No one plans them and no one really likes
being involved. As the vulnerable cyclist, protecting yourself from accidents is
always the best policy. Ride responsibly and understand your rights to the road.
Also, be visible at all times, use hand signals, stay to the right side of the road, wear a
helmet in case the unexpected does happen, and always yield to motor vehicles
whether they are right or wrong. After all, winning an argument with a loud
mouthed motorist is much less important than your personal safety, even if the
motorist was clearly in the wrong.

CYCLING'S NECESSITIES

       When discussing the most important things to have on a bike ride, cyclists
generally agree upon three things: a helmet, a water bottle, and cycling shorts. Each
of these can also be regarded as safety items. The need for a helmet should be
obvious and is explained in detail in the section on safety.
       Without water, cyclists can easily become dehydrated and suffer not only from
fatigue but also dizziness and may collapse. On a warm day, cyclists should drink at
least one full bottle during each hour of riding. It's always good to remember to
drink before you feel thirsty. Otherwise, it will be too late.
       Cycling shorts are necessary if you plan to ride your bike more than thirty
minutes. Regarding its safety features, let's just say, with cycling shorts your rear
will be "saved" from some serious saddle soreness by ride's end.
       There are two types of cycling shorts you can buy. Touring shorts are good for
people who don't want to look like they're wearing skin-tight cycling shorts. These
look like regular shorts, pockets and all, but they have built-in padding in the crotch
area to protect you from chaffing and saddle sores. The more popular, traditional
cycling shorts are made of skin-tight lycra material. These also have a padded crotch.
Whichever you find more comfortable, cycling shorts are a necessity for longer
rides.

BE PREPARED

       To be fully prepared on the bike, here are some other things you should carry
with you. First, every cyclist should be able to change a flat tire. (See Appendix A for
instructions on how to fix flat tires.) Carry a spare tube with you and a pair of tire
irons for fixing flats fast. A spare tube is so much more convenient than a patch kit
when you're on the road. Later that evening you can patch the flatted tube in the
comfort of home. It still doesn't hurt to carry a patch kit with you just in case. Also,
carry along a frame pump. Fixing a flat tire does little good if you can't get air back
into the tube.
       It's a good idea to bring along some change in case you do need to call home. It's
also nice to have some money with you in case you need to buy a Little Debbie
Snack Cake or a soda. Sometimes, that's what it takes to get you the rest of the way
home.
       Carrying these items, along with an extra banana, meals you'll need a bike bag. A
bag that mounts in front of the handlebars provides a quick and easy way to get at
things, whereas a saddle bag, fitting underneath the saddle, keeps things out of your
way. If you'll be carrying lots of equipment, then you may want a set of panniers that
are much larger and mount on either side of the wheels. A fanny pack is also very
useful for carrying keys, money, and other small items. Many cyclists, however,
prefer not to use a bag at all, simply slipping all they need into their jersey pockets,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX B

THE PENNSYLVANIA VEHICLE CODE
TITLE 75 CHAPTER 35

Enactment. Chapter 35 was added June 17, 1976, P L.162, No.81.

Crass References Chapter 35 is referred to in section 5553 of Title 42 (Judiciary and
Judicial Procedure).

SUBCHAPTER A
OPERATION OF PEDALCYCLES

Sec. 
3501. Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles. 
3502. Penalty for violation of subchapter. 
3503. Responsibility of parent or guardian. 
3504. Riding on pedalcycles. 
3505. Riding on roadways and pedalcycle paths. 
3506. Articles carried by operator. 
3507. Lamps and other equipment on pedalcycles. 
3508. Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths. 
3509. Parking.

 3501. Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.
       (a) General rule. - Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be
granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the
driver of a vehicle by this title, except as to special provisions in this subchapter and
except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no
application.
       (b) Application of subchapter. - The provisions of this subchapter apply
whenever a pedalcycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for
the exclusive use of pedalcycles subject to the exceptions stated in subsection (a).

 3502. Penalty for violation of subchapter.
      Any person violating any provision of this subchapter is guilty o offense and
shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $10.--

 3503. Responsibility of parent or guardian.
       The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or
knowingly permit the child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this title
relating to the operation of pedalcycles.

 3504. Riding on pedalcycles.
	(a) Use of seat by operator. - A person propelling a pedalcycle shall not ride
other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the pedalcycle
	(b) Number of riders. - No pedalcycle shall be used to carry more persons at
one time than the number for which the pedalcycle is designed and equipped except
that an adult rider may carry a child securely attached to the rider in a back pack or
sling.

 3505. Riding on roadways and pedalcycle paths.
	(a) General rule. - Except as provided in subsection (b), every person operating
a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as
practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding
in the same direction.
	(b) One-way highways. - Any person operating a pedalcycle upon a roadway of
a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more
marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway as
practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding
in the same direction.
	(c) Limitation on riding abreast. - Persons riding pedalcycles upon a roadway
shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside
for the exclusive use of pedalcycles.
	(d) Use of available pedalcycle paths. - Whenever a lane or path for
pedalcycles has been provided as part of a highway, pedalcycle riders shall use the
lane or path and shall not use any other part of the highway. This subsection does
not apply when use of the pedalcycle lane or path is not possible, safe or reasonable.

 3506. Articles carried by operator.
	No person operating a pedalcycle shall carry any package, bundle or article
which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

 3507. Lamps and other equipment on pedalcycles.
	(a) Lamps and reflectors. - Every pedalcycle when in use between sunset and
sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a lamp which emits a white light visible
from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of
a type approved by the department which shall be visible from aIl distances from 100
feet to 600 feet to the rear and with an amber reflector on each side. A lamp emitting
a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to
the red reflector. A lamp worn by the operator of a pedalcycle shall comply with the
requirements of this subsection if the lamp can be seen at the distances specified. All
lamps and reflectors shall be of a type approved by the department.
	(b) Audible signal devices. - A pedalcycle may be equipped with a device
capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet except that a
pedalcycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a pedalcycle
any siren.
	(c) Brakes. - Every pedalcycle shall be equipped with a braking system which
will stop the pedalcycle in 15 feet from an initial speed of 15 miles per hour on a dry,
level and clean pavement.

 3508. Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths.
	(a) Right-of-way to pedestrians. - A person riding a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk
or pedalcycle path used by pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian
and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
	(b) Business districts. - A person shall not ride a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk in
a business district unless permitted by official traffic-control devices, nor when a
usable pedalcycle-only lane has been provided adjacent to the sidewalk.

 3509. Parking
	(a) Sidewalks 
		(1) A person may park a pedalcycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited
restricted by an official traffic-control device.
		(2) A pedalcycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and
reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.
	(b) Roadways.
		(1) A pedalcycle may be parked on the roadway at any angle to the curb
or edge of the roadway at any location where parking is allowed.
		(2) A pedalcycle may be parked on the roadway abreast of another
pedalcycle or pedalcycles near the side of the roadway at any location where parking
is allowed.
		(3) A person shall not park a pedalcycle on a roadway in such a manner
as to obstruct the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.
		(4) In all other respects, pedalcycles parked anywhere on a highway
shall conform with the provisions of Subchapter E of Chapter 33 (relating to
stopping, standing and parking).

Cross references. Section 3509 is referred to in section 3353 of this title.