Safety Tips 

We live in a world with cars, distracted drivers, deteriorating infrastructure because our government allocates tax dollars to war instead of our roads and bridges, and mammals. Cars whip U-turns from parking spaces or fling their doors open when parked. Drivers will make direct eye-contact and still turn in front of you. Dogs, squirrels, deer, kids and other road hazards can cause a crash. The following safety tips will help keep you out of trouble as you enjoy your ride.

Always wear your helmet!

Position down over your forehead. They don’t work if they are tilted back and your forehead is exposed. 

Loose, Dangling Clothing is Dangerous

Tuck your shoelaces into your shoes, especially on your right shoe • Loose shoelaces can get caught in the front sprocket/chain and cause a crash • Don’t tie clothing around your waist or to your handlebars • A dangling sleeve from a jacket getting caught in your wheel will cause you to crash and get hurt • Don't wear flip flops or open-toe shoes (The reasons for this are obvious, even if you have tough feet)

Save Yourself First

When you are in and around traffic, focus 100% on your own safety • Don’t get distracted by others and put yourself at risk. 

Do not follow people into intersections without looking!

This is a common mistake even among experienced riders, that can lead to a crash or collision • Always look to make sure it is safe to cross intersections regardless of what anyone else in your group does • Sometimes this requires a greater level of patience • Save yourself first.

Scan the Road - Look ahead and try to anticipate what's coming before it’s too late.

Look for road hazards like potholes, cracks in the pavement, uneven transitions, train tracks, sticks, metal objects, varmints, etc.

Be Defensive - Look ahead and try to anticipate what's coming before it’s too late

Be aware that anything could happen at any time • Always be on high alert and constantly scan your surroundings for potential hazards and movements • See “badgers” above…

Always Ride with the Flow of Traffic (i.e. the correct side of the road)

Motorists are not expecting you to be coming at them from the opposite direction

Stop at Stop signs

Keep Your Hands on the Handlebars

If you are riding no-hands and hit a bump, you crash and get hurt • Don't take selfies or videos while you’re riding if it means taking your hands off the handlebars.

Always Hook Thumbs Under the Handlebars

If you hit a bump with your palms resting on the bar and your thumbs are not hooked underneath, you will crash and get hurt. 

Cover Your Brakes

Keep two fingers poised to grab the brake levers at any time • Avoid panic stops by looking ahead and anticipating what’s next.

Be Predictable and Smooth

Ride in a linear manner • Don’t swerve or ride erratically as this will increase the chances of a crash for you and your riding partners • Don't let yourself get boxed in • Position yourself so you have an out if something happens 

Groups - Don’t Overlap Wheels

Be careful not to overlap your front wheels with the rear wheel of the person in front of you - If they swerve for an obstacle and clips your front wheel there’s a good chance you will crash • This is one of the most common causes of big crashes. (Even in the Tour de France this mishap results in huge pileups that include Belgians, Italians, Brits, and Spaniards.) • When you are riding in a group, the person behind is responsible for keeping themselves safe • When riding side-by-side, always be ready to move into a single file line when traffic becomes congested or the road gets narrow • When stopping, pull yourself and your bike completely off the road.

Cars - Save Yourself First!

Look at the car’s wheels for movement, not the body

Always stay at least a car door’s distance away when passing a line of parked cars and assume any car could suddenly pull out or fling its door open

Don’t assume drivers see or care about you

Try to make eye contact • Shout when necessary

Look into parked cars through the rear window as you approach to see if the car is occupied…This is a vital clue as to whether they may pull out in front of you or suddenly open their door on your path