Oak Bay Fire Department 

1703 Monterey Avenue, Oak Bay B.C. V8R 5V6 (250) 592-9121
Email:  obfire@oakbay.ca       Fax:  (250) 598-2749

News Release
Date: March 30, 2015                                                     OBFD file # 2015-12

For Immediate Release:
Weekly Media Release for Monday, March 23, 2015 to Sunday, March 29, 2015. Over the past week, Oak Bay Fire Department members responded to 25 calls for assistance.
These calls for assistance include:

17 – Medical First Responder Requests
5 – Commercial / Residential Alarm Activations
2 – Public Assistance
1 –  Motor Vehicle Incident

With Spring upon us please follow these recommended bicycle safety tips!

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration provides seven basic bicycle safety tips that all of us should practice:

• Always wear a helmet. Helmets are 85-88% effective in preventing traumatic brain injury, making their use the single most effective way to prevent brain injury during a bicycle accident.
• Assure bicycle readiness and a proper size and function of the bicycle. Always use a bicycle that fits you and that is in working order. Check the handlebars, wheels and brakes before riding.
• Ride wisely learning and following the rules of the road. Bicyclists are supposed to follow the traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles. Obey all lights, signs and markings and use hand signals.
• Be predictable by acting like a driver of a vehicle. Unless there is a designated bike path, it is safest for bicyclists to ride on the road, and with the flow of traffic.
• Be visible. Always assume that others cannot see you and take responsibility for being visible. Wear bright colors, reflective patches, and use lights.
• Drive with care and share the road. Ride in the bike lane if one is available. If riding on the roadway, be considerate of other vehicles, anticipating their actions.
• Stay focused and alert while you are riding. Don’t wear headphones, be aware of the traffic around you, and always be on the lookout approaching obstacles.
• If you make your bicycling a family activity, it’s also important to pass safe habits onto your children—and to understand that children do not always perceive risks or react as adults would. In addition to normal bicycle safety practices, it’s a good idea to teach children basic skills such as: learning to use peripheral vision; learning to listen—and not just watch—for traffic; assessing risks; staying focused and being patient; and taking responsibility for their own safety.

By following basic safety practices—and passing them on to your children—you can help ensure that your outdoor activities remain fun for everyone.