Always Follow the Rules of the Road

Recently, many of the Training Ride volunteers attended a bike safety course taught by local LCI, Tom Ezell. This was an excellent course that we hope every cyclist will get a chance to attend. In this class, we had a few semi-new cyclists and some semi-professionals. All of us learned something new about safety and riding in groups. Thus, one of our goals for this year's training rides:

100 Days Accident Free!

To that end, I wanted to share a few tips from the League of American Bicylist course on Group Riding.

Be Predictable

Other riders expect you to continue straight ahead at constant speed unless you indicate differently.

Look Before You Make a Move

A good cyclist always looks or scans behind before moving laterally to a different position on the roadway or in the group. You are looking for cars as well as other cyclists.

Use Signals

Cyclists use hand and verbal signals to communicate with members of the group and with other traffic. Within a close group, it makes sense to use verbal signals such as "Right turn!" "Slowing!" or "Stopping!" rather than hand signals, but riders at the front and rear of the group should use hand signals as well for the benefit of other road users.

Give Warnings

When riding in close formation, each rider must feel a responsibility toward the riders behind. You must warn of road hazards and of changes in your direction or speed. The lead rider should announce turns and hazards well in advance so that members of the group have time toposition themselves properly and safely.

Ride One or Two Across

Ride single or double file as appropriate to the roadway and traffic conditions. Double is always more fun. Nevertheless, as a courtesy, we are quick to single up when this will permit faster traffic to move by us more efficiently. "Car back!" is the signal to get into single file.

Change Positions Correctly

Remember, when passing, always pass on the left saying "On your left!" Now don't scream this - startling a cyclist is never a good idea.

Stop for Stop Signs and Signals

It is important to obey traffic rules such as stop signs and traffic signals. Cyclists sometimes get into trouble by developing bad habits and stopping only at stop signs and/or signals where they perceive cross traffic. Remember, these traffic devices are placed there for your safety - observe. If you are in the back of the group, do not follow the leader through intersections. Be responsible for yourself when changing lanes and at intersections. Eacy cyclist must look for, and yield to, any other traffic that has the right of way.

These are just a few of the excellent suggestions from the course for keeping safe and avoiding accidents.  Any other suggestions?