Safe Riding

 

How to Avoid Collisions

 

Click HERE to learn what you can do to avoid collisions on your bike.

Wear a Helmet

 

The most important thing you can do for your own safety is wear a helmet. There is simply no excuse for not wearing a helmet. Your brain is a terrible thing to waste. You should make sure your helmet fits snuggly and securely without moving around on your head. Replace your helmet every few years. They do wear out.

 

Drink Plenty of Water

 

Be sure to drink plenty of water or other fluids while riding, especially in the summer. Many riders use a Camel Back which holds much more water than a water bottle and is safer to use. It is a good idea to drink some water before a ride. If you don't have to pee during a ride, you are probably not drinking enough.

 

Use Sunscreen

 

You don't want skin cancer. You really don't. So apply a generous amount of sunscreen before riding, even in cloudy weather.

 

Check Your Bike

 

Check your bike before you start riding. Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Check the brakes and cables to be sure you can stop. Inspect the wheel looking for broken spokes or worn spots on the tire. Maybe lubricate the chain once in a while.

 

Signals

 

Bicycles are required to obey the same laws and signals as motor vehicles. You should stop at traffic lights and stop signs. You should use hand signals to let other cyclists and motorists know your intentions.

 

 

 

Riding in a Group

 

Stay to the Right

 

Riders in a group will often take up an entire lane. This is fine, but make sure you leave room for cars to pass around the group by staying as far to the right as possible. Some drivers get angry at cyclists and provoking them does no one any good.

 

Move Around Gradually

 

If you need to move to the left or right in order to avoid an obstacle in the road or to pass another rider, do it slowly and gradually, giving others time to react.

 

Call Out Road Hazards

 

Call out and point to potholes, road-kills, cracks in the road, and obstacles ahead. Turning around to look behind you also can disrupt the riders around you. Many riders have a tendency to swerve in the direction they are looking.

 

Brake Carefully

 

Don't brake suddenly. Your following riders may not be able to react as fast as you. It goes without saying you should have your hands close to the brake levers for a short response time whenever you ride in a group.  The rule is that if you hit a rider from behind, shame on you!

 

 

Riding in a Pace-line

 

Ride a Straight Line

 

The key here is to be predictable not only for the other folks in the pace-line, but also in traffic because it may prevent you from becoming a hood ornament. You can practice by trying to ride right alongside the white shoulder line when riding alone.

 

Maintain a Steady Speed

 

Your goal is to leave a "clean" steady wheel that others behind you can follow easily and trust. Focus on maintaining a steady cadence and let your gears do the work. Its natural to slow for hills and headwinds. It just takes practice and a quick glance at your electronics.

 

Communicate

 

Good communication is the key to safety when riding in a pace-line. Let the riders in front of you know that you are on their right or left so that they will not be turning across your front wheel at the worst possible time.

 

Look Ahead

 

Avoid focusing in on the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. Also, avoid riding directly behind the wheel in front. Try to ride a few inches to the right or if necessary (depending on wind direction) to the left of the rider in front of you without overlapping wheels. This allows you to view road conditions ahead and gives you extra time to react should the rider in front suddenly slow down. Always plan to have a way out if anything happens up front, even if it means going off-road.

 

Signal When Pulling Off the Front

 

Signal your intent to give up the "pull" by wiggling either your hand or your elbow on the side you want the rider behind to come through on. Just before pulling off, give it three hard pedal strokes to insure the rider behind is not overlapped, and then dont slow down until you have moved off to the right or left. Move over gradually, and do not swerve quickly.