Safe riding policy

It is of paramount importance that all participants in club rides behave in the safest manner possible, exhibiting appropriate bicycling etiquette, and behaving with respect and consideration for the health and welfare of themselves and other riders, pedestrians, and drivers.

We realize that some riders, particularly novices and those who have not previously participated in group rides, are not aware of certain basic principles of safe riding. To maintain a safe riding environment, each ride leader (and club member) has the right and responsibility to help prevent unsafe behavior. To do so, it may be necessary to speak directly to someone who is riding unsafely. Therefore this Policy establishes expectations for safe riding by riders that the Road Captain and Ride Leaders should use to enforce safety on club sponsored rides.

Be predictable

• Ride in an expected manner. Others rely on you to hold a straight line and a steady speed unless you signal otherwise.
• Do not overlap your front wheel with the rear wheel of the rider ahead. Wheel overlap is one of the most common causes of crashes within a group, because a small move by the rider in front can take your front wheel out from under you.
• Keep safe spacing for the speed and conditions.
• Use caution near other riders. Pass on the left and announce yourself as you pass.

Communicate

• Signal your intent to turn, slow, pass, or stop.
• Call out hazards such as holes, gravel, glass, and parked cars, and repeat each call down the line so riders behind you hear it.
• Communicate with fellow riders as needed.

Obey traffic laws

• Follow directions provided by ride leaders.
• Obey all applicable traffic laws and observe traffic signs and signals.
• Stay alert and focused at all times, watching the road ahead for hazards.

Helmet, equipment, and visibility

• Wear an approved safety helmet on every ride.
• Keep your bicycle in safe mechanical condition.
• Recommended: high visibility apparel, a rear view mirror, and reflectors with head and tail lights.

Carry ID and emergency contact

• Carry identification and an emergency contact on every ride, so responders can help and reach your people if you cannot speak for yourself. We recommend a Road ID and offer a member discount, listed on our Member Benefits page.

Group riders cannot see the road the way the lead rider can, so we pass information back through the group. Make the signal, say the call, and repeat each call down the line.

Common verbal calls, repeated down the line:

• “Car back” a vehicle is approaching from behind. Tighten up and single up if needed.
• “Car up” an oncoming or stopped vehicle is ahead.
• “Slowing” / “Stopping” the group is changing speed. Pass it back.
• “On your left” you are passing another rider on their left.
• “Hole,” “Gravel,” “Glass,” “Tracks” point at the hazard and name it.

Most drivers in the Pacific Northwest are considerate and patient around cyclists, and that culture is part of what makes riding here so good. As Clark County grows and once-quiet roads get busier, the club is committed to being good ambassadors for cycling by making allies of the courteous drivers we share the road with. Courtesy goes both ways. We should never trade safety for courtesy, but short of that, we show our commitment to sharing the road by:

Courtesy toward drivers

• Acknowledging courteous drivers with a friendly wave, such as when they wait for a clear lane before passing or wave you through an intersection.
• Not provoking aggressive drivers, even when you are in the right. Yelling or making rude gestures will not change their behavior and can turn a tense moment into a confrontation.
• Waving a vehicle through a four-way stop whenever there is any doubt about who should go first.

Lane position and traffic flow

• Riding single file when traffic is passing.
• Being predictable. Avoid sudden moves into or between lanes.
• Pulling over to let vehicles pass when you or your group is holding up traffic.
• Moving off the road when you stop, whether to check gear, sort out the route, or wait for the group to regroup.
• Taking the lane when it is too narrow to share safely, such as at bridge crossings or around debris, and signaling your intent when it is safe to do so. Controlling the lane reduces the risk of sideswipes. Washington law requires riding as far to the right as is safe but allows you to move left to avoid unsafe conditions, including a lane too narrow to share (RCW 46.61.770).

At intersections

• Signaling your intentions to drivers as you approach intersections.
• Stopping for traffic lights, especially when other vehicles are present. Running them is unsafe and sends the message that the rules do not apply to us.
• Keeping clear of the turn lane at a light so drivers turning right are not blocked.
• At an intersection with no bike lane, stopping behind the vehicle ahead rather than squeezing past on the right, which can surprise a driver and lead to a right-hook collision.

There are surely more ways to earn respect by giving it.

If a crash or injury happens on a ride, the ride leader takes charge. These steps mirror the VBC Ride Leader Injuries / Accidents reference card:

• Stay calm and take charge.
• Make sure the scene is safe for the injured rider or riders, protecting them from traffic.
• If you are unsure how serious it is, call 911.
• Delegate tasks: one person calls 911, one takes notes, one manages traffic, one keeps the group together and off the road.
• Ask whether anyone in the group has medical training, and let them help.
• Check for bleeding, shock, fractures, and head injury.
• Give basic care only with the rider’s consent, and stay within your level of training.
• Do not move a rider with a possible head, neck, or spine injury.
• If everyone is okay, return to the start or continue the ride while monitoring all riders.
• If an ambulance transports anyone, note the destination.
• Notify the rider’s emergency contact.
• File an Incident Report for any serious incident, and check riders for emotional trauma afterward.

Should participants in club rides behave in such a way as to present a hazard to themselves or others they will be asked to modify their behavior. If it is necessary to correct a rider, the goal should be to explain why the behavior affects or endangers others, and to offer specific advice for improvement. Most people simply do not know any better, and if our approach is friendly, almost any rider will be cooperative in this situation and even welcome the advice. If, however, the unsafe riding persists, the ride leader (or member) should document the problem using the Incident Report Form, to establish a record of the unsafe behavior that supports further discussion with the rider. If the rider cannot or will not ride in safe manner, her/his participation in club rides may ultimately be disallowed.

Ride Leaders are entrusted to cancel any ride when climatic or road conditions are such that riding presents undue hazards and risk.