As we're gearing up for summer, it's a 'wheelie' great time to be reminded of bike safety tips.

From May 14th to 20th, it's Bike Safety Week in Saskatchewan, and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) Saskatchewan is offering safety advice for cyclists and motorists throughout the summer.

Road safety depends on the cooperation of drivers and cyclists, and Lona Gervais, Senior Communications Specialist with CAA Saskatchewan, said that it's very important for cyclists to be seen.

'Wear light or brightly colored clothing, use reflectors or reflective tape, and equip your bike with a headlight or tail light if you're night riding." 

People should choose the best bike for them, Gervais said, "consider the size, frame, seat height, as well as the type of road or trails you ride on."

"Cyclists should be ready with proper footwear, such as running shoes. Always wear a properly fitted helmet, avoid loose fitting clothing that can get tangled in your chain, and equip your bike with a bell or horn to signal to pedestrians and drivers, and to pass other bikes safely."

Properly fitted helmets should follow the 2V1 rule, Gervais explained. "Your helmet should fit two fingers above your eyebrows, the straps should form a V under your ears, and one finger should fit between the strap on your chin. So snug but comfortable."

Bike SafetyCyclists are being reminded to remember the rules of the road. (File photo).

Gervais said that bicycles are considered by law to be a vehicle on the road, and cyclists must obey the same rules when travelling on the road.

"If you dismount your bike and you walk alongside it, you're considered a pedestrian and you have the same rights as a pedestrian and not too many people know that."

Another thing that people don't often know about CAA, said Gervais, is that you can use your CAA membership if you get stranded with a flat tire or a broken chain on your bicycle. "Believe it or not, CAA Roadside Assistance will transport you and your bike to your required destination through our Bike Assist Service."

When it comes to motorists, Gervais said they're asking motorists to leave at least one metre of space between themselves and a cyclist, use turn signals to indicate your intentions, and always obey traffic signals and signs.

"When you're parked on the street, don't open your door into traffic. Instead, do what we call the' Dutch Reach' and check your blind spot first. So what you're going to do is open the car door with your hand furthest from the door, and then it naturally turns your body, and then you look for cyclists before slowly exiting the vehicle."

"That's a way you can do it for pedestrians too, however, pedestrians are mostly on the sidewalk, whereas cyclists are on the street."

Find lots of bike safety tips HERE. Gervais added that they even have a CAA Bike Safety Road Test, which has lots of really great information for parents to teach their kids about road safety.