From the Federal Trade Commission:

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, charged Skechers with making unfounded claims that its Shape-ups and other “toning shoes” would help people lose weight and tone their buttocks, legs, and abdominal muscles.

To settle the case, Skechers USA has agreed to pay $40 million to provide refunds to people who bought Skechers toning shoes.

Learn more about the refunds, how to apply, and how to avoid misleading marketing claims at ftc.gov/sketchers.

FTC staff will also answer questions about the settlement online on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. Follow the @FTC on Twitter and ask questions using the hashtag #FTCbcp. Questions can also be posted to the FTC’s Facebook page.

For National Women’s Health Week, we partnered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health to create the Healthy Women’s Action Kit. This kit provides the information you need to:

• Manage your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk for diabetes
• Stay safe using cosmetics and getting tattoos
• Recognize and avoid online health scams
• Confidently talk to your doctor about menopause and hormones
• Find the stop-smoking method that can work for you
• And more!

Get a free kit for yourself and for the women in your life.

You can also read the publications online, download them to your computer and print them.

Riding a bicycle is more than a fun and healthy family activity. Besides being great way to exercise, many people also use bicycles to commute to work, go to the grocery store, or to visit friends and family. Some people use them as their primary mode of transportation.

With summer fast approaching, it’s a good idea to review some of the basic safety rules of riding a bicycle. That way, you can minimize your chances of getting into an accident. After all, May is Bicycle Safety Month!

Prepping Your Bicycle

In the U.S., more than 50,000 bicyclists were injured in 2009 and 630 died from accidents with vehicles, according to the latest figures by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Before you go on a bike ride, make sure to:

• Always use a helmet, regardless of your age.
• Use a bicycle that’s the right size for you so that you will be able to control it properly.
• Make sure the brakes are working and the tires are inflated to the correct pressure.
• Make yourself visible to motorists by wearing bright colors like red or yellow.
• Get rear and front lights that are very bright or flash to increase your visibility.
• Avoid riding your bicycle at night.

NHTSA has additional resources on bicycle safety, including how to fit your bike helmet (PDF format).

Rules for Riding a Bicycle on the Street

Bicycles are considered vehicles, so cyclists are expected to follow the same traffic rules as car drivers. When you are on the road:

• Obey all traffic laws, including stoplights, signs, signals and lane markings.
• Yield to pedestrians.
• Ride your bicycle in the same direction as traffic, never against it.
• Signal when you make turns.
• Be careful near parked cars as someone might suddenly open the door.

NHTSA has a parent pledge (PDF format) as well as a child pledge (PDF format) to help promote responsible bicycling.

Rules for Riding a Bicycle on the Sidewalk

The street, especially where there are bike lanes, is the best place to ride a bicycle. However, the sidewalk might be safer for children under 10 years old who are unable to ride their bicycles on the street without adult supervision.

Before riding your bicycle on the sidewalk, make sure it’s allowed by local and state authorities. If you do ride your bike on the sidewalk:

• Be careful with cars coming in and out of driveways.
• Alert pedestrians when you’re close to them by saying “passing you on your left” or by using a bell horn.
• Stop at all intersections before crossing the street.

For more information visit the NHTSA’s bicycle safety page.