Road Cycling Safety and Etiquette
Bike Safety
- Have a working front light and back light for your bike.
- Wear a helmet and have a rear view mirror.
- Carry a flat tire repair kit (extra tire tube, mini pump or CO2 cartridge and a mini tool kit.)
Rider Safety and Etiquette
- Ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic.
- Ride single file on busy roads as directed by the ride leader.
- Ride no more than two abreast on low traffic roads (provided you are not impeding traffic).
- Ride in bike lanes, If no bike lane, keep to the right as practicable.
- Take the entire lane when there is not enough space for a car to pass you safely (i.e. going through a roundabout). Also, take the lane when making a left turn and moving from the right side of the road to the center then to the left.
- Ride predictably and communicate your intentions with visible hand signals (if that is not possible, loud verbal cues) to:
- Signal your intentions (slowing, stopping, turning)
- Alert others of hazards on the road (potholes, gravel, railroad tracks, glass, etc.)
- Pass these signals all the way to the back of the group.
- Say “Passing on your left” to alert rider BEFORE you pass — Never pass on the right.
- Pace — Ride at a consistent and steady pace; avoid making sudden stops and turns.
- Assume responsibility for your own safety.
- Intersections: Do not call “Clear!” when passing through an intersection. Just because the person ahead of you goes, does not mean it is safe for you.
- If you need help, say so. From the side of the road use thumbs down to signal “help needed.”
- Don’t drop silently: Tell someone before dropping from the ride and ask them to inform the leader and/or the sweeper.
- BE A FRIEND
- If you see someone who is having trouble, offer help and notify the leader/sweeper.