Ride Smart: Bike Safety for Johnson Employees

by Linda Grimm | 2023-05-19

The longer days and warmer weather of spring are inspiring more employees at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to ride bikes around the center. Riding a bike is a fun and sustainable way to travel to and from Johnson and navigate onsite, all while getting some exercise and fresh air.

However, the increase in riders has contributed to an increase in employee injuries from bike accidents. Johnson employees are encouraged to continue riding their bikes, but they must remember to follow some basic rules of the road to help keep everyone safe.

*Johnson employees’ bicycles parked at a designated onsite bike rack.*

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Here are some ways you can Ride Smart:

Before riding, give your bike a safety check to make sure it is in good working order and report any damaged bikes
Wear a helmet…in a contest between your head and concrete, guess who wins?!
Ride at a speed where you have full control of the bike and can stop quickly
Keep clothing out of the bike's machinery…use pant leg clips
Stay off of pea gravel when it is wet
Be cautious of ruts and holes in the grass, especially beside sidewalks
Use a backpack or a bike basket to stow notebooks, computers, and other items, instead of trying to carry them in your arms

Riders should also review the JSC Safety & Health Requirements for bicycling.

For more information about bike riding at Johnson, go to https://centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/jb/jb7/cycling/.