YOUR SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY!

  

REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW. THERE WILL BE A SHORT QUIZ THAT MUST BE ANSWERED CORRECTLY BEFORE YOU CAN REGISTER.  THANKS FOR YOU COOPERATION TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS RIDE SAFER.

  

Rules of the road for all cyclists

1. Helmets are required and NO headphones. When you wear headphones you are not only endangering yourself, but others who are on the ride.  By listening to the sounds of traffic you can often hear danger signs.

2. Obey All Regulatory Signs and Traffic Signals. Bicycles are considered vehicles by law and must be driven like other vehicles if they are to be taken seriously by motorists.

3. Be predictable and Maintain a steady straight line and avoid braking or changing direction suddenly. Remember that there are riders following you closely from behind.  To slow down, gradually apply your brakes and say “slowing”.

4. Point out and call out any road hazards ahead. These include potholes, drain grates, stray animals, opening car doors, sticks or stones, parked cars, etc.  There are also hand signals for this.

- left arm straight out to signal a left turn
- right arm straight out for a right turn
- palm or fist behind your lower back to signal slowing or stopping
- shake hand side to side in the direction of sand, glass or any other road hazard

5. Do not overlap wheels. A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels with another cyclist and fall.  Advanced riders pedal down hill when at the front of the bunch.  Experienced cyclists dislike having to ride under brakes (the riders following the leader benefit from her draft, thereby having to pedal less and brake more).

6. Stay to the right when in front to allow room for others to pass safely on your left. Pass other riders on the left hand side whenever possible.

7. No drafting unless you have the skills and experience. Riding in a close group (drafting) is a skill that is best learned in small groups with other cyclists that know how and will make an effort to teach you.

8. When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration.  This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.

9. Watch for Turning Vehicles and Vehicles Exiting Driveways. Make eye contact with drivers. Assume they do not see you until you are sure they do.

10. Avoid Road Hazards. Watch for storm drain grates, slippery manhole covers, oily pavement, gravel and ice.  Cross railroad tracks at right angles.  For better control as you move across bumps and other hazards, stand up on your pedals.

11. Be Prepared. Your bike should be in good repair and have dependable tires.  At a minimum for this ride you should have a helmet, two water bottles, spare tubes and cycling gloves.  Rain gear, gloves, glasses or goggles, rear view mirror, tire pump, and a small tool kit can make your ride safer and more pleasant.  Wear bright colored clothing during the day and light-colored or reflective clothing at night.  Always use a strong headlight and tail light and good reflectors when riding at night as required by law.

 

Frequent Commands

- Hold your line – When someone yells, “Hold your line”, this means that you need to stay in a straight line as best you can.  In most cases, the person yelling this out to you is attempting to pass or warn you your riding is not steady and predictable.  If you swing out or if you don’t keep your bike steady, you could cause the other bicyclist trouble or injury.

- On your Left – When someone yells, “On your Left”, this means that they are passing you on your left.  No need to take this personally.  Let them pass as they have the right of way. You should never hear “On your Right”.  That is, a cyclist should never pass on the right.  However, there are many cyclists with varying experience.  Be on the lookout for those that will pass on your right.  If someone does this, kindly remind him or her that they should pass on the left.  Also, it is common courtesy to say “Thank You” to the person yelling “on your left”.  This indicates to them that you’ve heard them.

- Car Up – When someone yells, “Car Up”, this means that there is a car up front.  It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a stop may be necessary.  If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the vehicle up front.  It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others behind you also know about the car.

- Car Back – When someone yells, “Car Back”, this means that there is a car back behind you.  It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a stop may be necessary.  If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the vehicle is behind you.  It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others in front of you also know about the car.

- Slowing – When someone yells out “Slowing”, this means that there is something that is causing the pack to slow down.  This can be anything from a light, a slower pack of bikes, a car up ahead. In any event, prepare to slow down.

- Stopping – When someone yells out “Stopping”, this means that there is something that is causing the pack to stop.  This can be anything from a light, a slower pack of bikes, a stop sign or a car up ahead.  In any event, prepare to stop.  It’s VERY important not to slam on your brakes especially if there are others behind you!

Summary of Utah Bicycle Laws that apply to this ride

- Bicyclists are subject to all the rights and duties applicable to the operator of any other vehicles, including obeying all traffic control signals (stops signs and traffic lights).

- Bicyclists traveling less than the normal speed of traffic must ride as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway except to: pass; make a left turn; when there is a right-turn only lane; and to avoid hazards.

-Bicyclists approaching an intersection may turn left from the left-turn lane, or go through the intersection, stop at the corner on the opposite side, wait for the signal to turn green, turn left, then continue to travel with the normal flow of traffic.

- A bicyclist may not attach to moving vehicles. Bicyclists may not ride more than two abreast and two abreast only if adequate travel lane/shoulder width is available.

- Bicyclists must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times and may not carry a package or bundle that prevents the use of both hands.

- Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, and shall give audible signal when overtaking a pedestrian.

- Every bicycle must be equipped with brakes.