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.