Cycling Safety Tips

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THE CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BELOW and let us know if you have any questions.

• CORRECT USE OF GEAR

  ·  Wear a well-adjusted helmet, which fits snugly

  ·  Do not use an headset (e.g., ear buds) so as to be fully alert

  ·  Wear bright clothing, sunglasses, gloves, and a zipped-up jersey

  ·  Stop riding if you sense any problem with your bike and tell your guide

  ·  Do not try clipless pedals for the first time on your tour. If you are using new(er) clipless pedals, tell your guide to ensure proper adjustment

  ·  Ask your guide for any help that you may need with shifting or with the use of the Garmin GPS or other navigational device

   

• RIDING SAFELY

  ·  Keep your hands on the handlebars at all times

  ·  Be aware of vehicles and make eye contact with drivers whenever possible (especially in intersections and at rotaries)

  ·  Obey the traffic lights & ALL road signs such as Do Not Enter, STOP, and Yield

  ·  Rotaries can be particularly tricky: be aware of drivers and make sure that they understand where you are going

  ·  Stay on the right side of lane, especially on very steep and narrow roads

  ·  Slow down if there is not enough visibility, e.g., fog or a tight turn or a hidden corner can be dangerous

  ·  Ride in single file, especially when there is traffic

   

• RIDING IN A GROUP

  ·  As in a family, let’s take care of each other and be aware of the other riders near you

  ·  Point out or call out to warn others of obstacles, e.g., broken glass, pothole, grate, railroad tracks, gravel/sand, oil/water, parked or approaching cars

  ·  Point out or call out when you are turning and stopping (avoid at all costs making sudden movements--these can cause a crash)

  ·  Help other riders when approaching an intersection, while remembering that you are responsible for your own safety

  ·  Do not draft, especially if you (or the other rider) has not done it before-- if you choose to draft, you do so at your own risk

  ·  Keep a safe distance from any other rider

   

• RIDING DOWNHILL

  ·  Descending is where there is the highest chance of an accident--and a bad one because you are going faster

  ·  Keep control of your speed

  ·  Look ahead and call out for obstacles, e.g., broken glass, pothole, grate, railroad tracks, gravel/sand, oil/water, parked or approaching cars

  ·  Look ahead in the distance to anticipate your next move

  ·  Brake with both hands before entering the curve and when your bike is still vertical

  ·  On the curve, the leg that is leaned into the curve should be raised (i.e., at the apex of the spin) to avoid scraping the pavement

  ·  Hold your handlebars firmly (be they drop or straight handlebars)

  ·  Be extra cautious if it is raining or the road is wet