USAT Women's Commission

Bike Safety

News/Info

Women's Commission member Sherri Wattenbarger writes...

This is a great handout on bike safety that I got from the Kansas City Bike Club. .... We have their permission. Sherri

Safe Group Riding

Based on the principles taught in the League of American Bicyclists effective cycling program.

Cycling with friends, traveling rapidly and safely with confidence in your companions, is a joy. However, there is a certain cycling etiquette, or Rules of the Road, of which you should be aware whenever cycling in a group.

1. Be Predictable - Group riding requires even more attention to predictability than riding alone. Other riders expect you to continue straight ahead at a constant speed unless you indicate differently

2. Use Signals - Use hand and verbal signals to communicate with members of the group and with other traffic. Use hand signals for turning and stopping.

3. Give Warnings - Warn cyclists behind you well in advance of changes in your direction or speed. To notify the group of change in path, the lead rider should call out "left turn" or "right turn" in addition to hand signals.

4. Change Positions Correctly - Generally, slower traffic stays right, so you should try to pass others on their left. Say "on your left" to warn the cyclist ahead that you are passing. If you need to pass someone on the right, say "on your right" clearly since this is an unusual maneuver.

5. Announce Hazards - When riding in a group, most of the cyclists do not have a good view of the road surface ahead, so it is important to announce holes, glass, gravel, grates, and other hazards. The leader (or rider in front of a group) should indicate road hazards by pointing down to the left or right and call by "hole", "bump", "road kill", etc. where required for safety.

6. Watch For Traffic Coming From The Rear - Since those in front cannot see traffic approaching from the rear, it is the responsibility the riders in the back to inform the others by calling out "car back". Around curves, on narrow roads, or when riding double (side-by-side) it is helpful if those up front call out "car up" to those in the back.

7. Watch Out At Intersections - When approaching intersections that require vehicles to yield or stop, the lead rider will say "slowing" or "stopping" to those behind of the change in speed. When passing through an intersection, some cyclists say "clear" if there is no crossing traffic. This is a dangerous practice that should be abandoned. It encourages riders to follow the leader, letting others do their thinking for them. Each cyclist is responsible for verifying that the way is indeed clear.

8. Leave A Gap For Cars - When riding up hills or on narrow roads where you are impeding faster traffic, leave a gap for cars between every three to four bicycles. That way a motorist can take advantage of shorter passing intervals and eventually move piecemeal around the entire group

9. Move Off The Road When You Stop - Whether you are stopping because of mechanical problems or to regroup with your companions, or just shooting the breeze with someone you haven't seen in a while, move well off the road so you don't interfere with traffic (both cars AND other cyclists). When you start up again, each cyclist should look for and yield to traffic.

10. Ride One or Two Across - Ride single file or double file as appropriate to the roadway and traffic conditions and where allowed by law. Most state vehicle codes permit narrow vehicles such as bicycles to ride double file within the lane. Even where riding double is legal, courtesy dictates that you single up when cars are trying to pass you.

The League of American Bicyclists is a non-profit association working to protect the rights of cyclist through national advocacy, education and grassroots organizing.