Ride Best Practices - Adirondack Cycling Club

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Ride Practices

Ride at a steady pace, accelerating and decelerating smoothly.
Warn before braking or slowing. Use hand and verbal signals to identify approaching hazards. Alert riders to
upcoming turns, road hazards, pedestrians, cars, potholes, etc.
Be aware of cars and riders behind you, along side of you and in front of you.
Ride assertively anticipating hazards and taking the space you need on the road to avoid them.
Allow enough time for the entire group to negotiate obstacles and intersections.
If the group inadvertently becomes split (usually due to an obstacle or intersection), riders in the forward group should
slow down or find a safe place to stop and reform the group.
Check after intersections to assure no one behind you was caught by a light.
Wait for the last rider in the group unless the rider has requested to be left behind or an agreement made with everyone’s consent that the group will not wait for dropped riders.
Passing vehicles on the right is always dangerous and should be avoided with the possible exceptions of when passing a car that is turning left and/or when vehicular traffic is completely stopped in a traffic jam. Even then, be sure to pass carefully giving the vehicles ample clearance.
Abide by traffic signals (red and yellow lights) and be very cautious at stop signs, yield signs, etc.
Overtake slower bikes on the left side giving ample clearance and warning when passing.
Do not overlap the front wheel of your bicycle with the rear wheel of another bicycle.
Maintain a safe gap from the rider in front of you.
Avoid being “doored”. Be alert to stopped and parked cars. Look for drivers inside a car, making positive contact with them (eye contact) and be ABSOLUTELY sure they actually see you.
Do not ride closer than one car length behind a moving motor vehicle and never hold on to one (i.e. no slip streaming)
Don’t leave the group without notifying other riders and the ride leader.
If you are not confident of finishing the ride, let the ride leader know. When that happens during a ride, you may either drop back to another slower group or someone may accompany you back separate from the group. If you have mechanical problems, someone will assist with repairs, call for assistance, etc.
Ride in single file pacelines most of the time staying within 5 feet of each other whenever safe. Ride no more than two abreast at other times unless passing another rider.
Pacelines longer than 15 riders may be unmanageable under certain road and traffic conditions. When necessary, divide into group of 15 or less.