Every year, hundreds of bicyclists are killed and thousands more injured in preventable crashes. The majority of crashes occur when bicycles and cars share the same streets, but they also happen on driveways, sidewalks and bike paths.

To minimize risk, maximize fun and enjoy the freedom of bicycling, it's key to understand how to operate and maintain your bike and how to wear proper safety gear.

If all bicyclists wore helmets, one life would be saved every day. One head injury would be prevented every five minutes.

AAA offers the following tips for safe bicycle riding:

• Wear a brightly colored helmet and retro-reflective material on your clothing. Helmets that have been worn during a single fall or have been exposed to heat for a long period may not stay intact during impact.
  
  
• Ride with the flow of traffic and obey all traffic laws. Traffic signs, signals and pavement markings apply to bicyclists, too.
  
  
• Keep your bike as close to the right edge of the road as possible so traffic can safely move around you.
  
  
• Communicate your intentions to other road users with appropriate hand signals.
  
  
• Always slow down and yield to pedestrians.
  
  
• Stay alert and remember that drivers or pedestrians may not see you.
  
  
• Always stop and look left-right-left before entering the roadway.
  
  
• Cross at marked crosswalks and follow pedestrian walk lights where available.
  
  
• When you are part of a cycling group, ride single file, not side by side.
  
  
• Never ride at sunset or after dark, especially on narrow roads or roads with speed limits that exceed 35 mph.
  
  
• Don't wear headphones or listen to music while riding, because you need to hear what's going on around you.
  
  
• Plan your route before you leave home and let your family know where you're going, a number where they can reach you and when to expect you back.