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Cycling Safety

Ride Courteously

  • Give verbal and hand signals to alert other riders to road hazards, e.g., pot holes, glass, gravel/sand, wet leaves, railroad tracks.
  • Ride single file. When a vehicle is approaching, call out “car back” or “car up” to alert others of sighted vehicles.
  • Call out “on your wheel” when drafting another cyclist.
  • Use hand signals and audible verbal warning when passing, slowing, stopping, or making a turn. Only pass other cyclists on their left.
  • When being passed, maintain a straight course; do not swerve away from or toward an approaching cyclist.
  • Do not wear head phones

Ride Predictably

  • Your bicycle is a vehicle – observe all traffic laws.
  • Ride with the flow of traffic, in a straight line, and as far to the right as is safe and practical.
  • Stop at all stop signs and obey all traffic lights – pause at yield signs and unmarked intersections.
  • Look both ways before proceeding.
  • Check traffic; be responsible for yourself; don’t just follow the crowd.
  • Follow rules of right-of-way, but never forget common sense – ride defensively and anticipate the actions of motorists – a confrontation between a 3,000 lb. vehicle and a 20 lb. bicycle is no contest.
  • Be aware of motor vehicle blind spots.
  • Walk your bike if conditions are beyond your cycling ability.
  • Move to the right and stop to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
  • Cross railroad tracks at 90-degree angle; give verbal warning to indicate intention.

Here is an article listing some other cycling safety tips.

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