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BICYCLING SAFETY AND COURTESY!
- Ride single file (in most cases). If you are going
to ride two- abreast, do so in an area that can be done
safely and without compromising other cyclists or other
drivers. NEVER EVER ride more than two abreast. We all
hate road-hogs when we are driving our cars, and there
is simply no reason to have to take up whole non-bike
lanes when riding in a peloton on city streets. Everyone
has a right to the road, cars and cyclist alike. Let's
not incite road rage.
- Come to a stop when the sign or light says STOP.
No short-cut "fake" U-turns to avoid a light.
Stop.
- When passing other cyclists, call out "on your
left" when at an appropriate distance from other
riders. Give them a chance to yield the road. They will
comply. Just let them know that you are there.
- Never, ever, pass a cyclist on the right side. Never.
Ever.
- If you are out for a training ride and need to ride
at high speeds, the place NOT to do this is on shared
bikeways that include roller skaters, dog walkers, and
other, rookie, cyclists. We all need to get in good
workouts from time to time. Choose your routes carefully.
- Wearing a Spandex club jersey does not give you the
right to blow people off the road or abruptly cutting
in front of a passed cyclist. Never. Ever.
- Look up from the road immediately in front of you
from time to time. You'd be surprised at how much fun
you will get if you are not grimacing all the time with
your sole intent on speed competitions (either alone
or in a peloton). You'll live longer and might afford
a less experienced cyclists to enjoy their ride, too.
- Get in the habit of acknowledging other cyclists
that are SHARING the road with you. If they say hello,
say hello back! They might not have the fanciest, lightest,
bikes or that really cool Spandex outfit, but they are
your cycling brothers and sisters. Say hello - FIRST.
- If you don't like the way someone is riding near
you, tell them IN A NICE WAY HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE. No
barking. Never. Ever. A little education, delivered
in a calm voice, goes a long way. The rookies are usually
terrified being out in traffic. If you share with them
the right way to ride, they will likely share this with
someone else and look up to their more senior cyclists
for offering good advice instead of disdaining their
behavior. Sort of a Golden Rule thing, you know?
- SHARE the road, courteously, safely. Is it really
that hard?
Steve
bentrider@stevegebler.com
Steve teaches adult cycling classes and makes every
effort to teach the right way to cycle (courteously
and safely). While on some of the "joy rides"
with his classes, he’s observed (and been the recipient
of) some simply appalling behavior. If you'd like to
chat about this, give Steve a shout at 760 487 8723.
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