CBBC wants to get everyone thinking about riding safely and smoothly. New riders join the club throughout the year, and old riders move to other categories. It takes some time before a group of riders mesh smoothly in a pack. The guidelines below were compiled by the executive committee and some experienced club members. They cover many, but not all aspects of safe riding. They mainly concern riding in a group and riding in traffic. One element of a smooth group ride is that everyone knows what the "rules" are. We hope that putting these in writing will help. To download one of the most comprehensive Ride Leader Guidelines (from the Princeton Freewheelers site,) click here.

ON EVERY RIDE

1. Arrive 10-15 Minutes early and be ready to leave on time. Remember that the scheduled ride time is the time the ride will leave the parking lot.
2. Make sure your bicycle is in proper working order BEFORE you arrive.
3. Carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump and water bottle.
4. Practice safety and obey all traffic laws.
5. Wearing a HELMET IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
6. Leaders are not responsible for those who ride ahead of the group.
7. ALWAYS NOTIFY THE LEADER before leaving the group.
8. Leaders will adhere to the advertised speed of the ride.
9. Any rider who appears to be riding in an irresponsible manner may be asked to leave the ride.
10. In the case of inclement weather, or if the leader fails to appear (probably because of an emergency), form a group and go on a ride if you like.

GENERAL

BE PREPARED - Be considerate of your fellow riders by showing up at the meeting place ready to ride. That means with your bike operating correctly and with your tires pumped up. If you aren't familiar with how to tune-up your bike, take it to one of the many fine shops in the area and let them make sure it is ready to roll. If you are not sure what type of riding you are capable of, be sure to call the ride leader or ride category coordinator and ask some questions. If you are still unsure, try a ride one category below the one you think you can do for your first time out and judge from there.

BE PREDICTABLE - Predictability is the foundation of safe riding. Be sure that others know what you intend to do. In order for people to stay out of your way, they need to know where you are going. Learn the conventions so that you know what to expect of other riders.

HEADS UP - Pay attention to the road, traffic and other riders. Anticipate what is going to happen. Be prepared for the unexpected.

HELMETS - This is easy. Wear a helmet. This will minimize injuries when things don't work out as planned. No matter how experienced and careful you are, the unexpected can happen. People who have had an accident often say that something happened and it was all over before they could react. It CAN happen to you. Helmets reduce head injuries by 80% or more. With the wide variety of lightweight helmets available, there is no excuse to ride without one. Expensive, you say? Pay whatever you think your brains are worth.

RIDING IN THE GROUP

RIDE SMOOTHLY - Remember that the safety of a group of riders depends on the actions of each rider. Riders must ride smoothly and predictably to avoid collisions. Keep in mind that someone is probably very close behind you. Don't brake hard unless you absolutely must and then call out to warn other riders. Glance over your shoulder before you move out of your line. When you are out on your own, you can do anything you like. The dynamics of the pack are more complicated. A pack of experienced riders that ride together often moves like a unit. It only takes one rider to disrupt the flow. There is another advantage to riding smoothly: you save energy and feel fresher at the end of the ride.

SIGNALS - A few signals help the people in the back of the pack avoid potholes and road trash. They generally can't see it until it's too late. A point with your hand is generally enough to warn the other riders. Call out if it is something particularly nasty. Something short and understandable (like "HOLE") is best. A few other calls that are standard in the club:

TRACKS - Railroad tracks
GLASS - Broken glass in the path
CAR RIGHT (or LEFT) - A car is coming from that direction
CAR BACK (or CAR UP) - A car is coming from the rear (or front)
ON YOUR RIGHT (or LEFT) - I am close at your side or intend to pass on your right (or left)

Some riders will call out "CLEAR" to indicate that an intersection is free of cross traffic. Be wary of this signal as it is not always reliable. Do not depend on it. Check to make sure that the traffic is clear before you cross. If you feel compelled to use this signal, do so only when the traffic is clear for a distance. If the visibility is limited (because of a curve or hill) it is best to not give any signal. Let the other riders check for themselves.

INTERSECTIONS - Sometimes the whole group can't make it through the intersection without getting split up by cars. The bikers that make it through in the first wave should try to slow up a bit to let the second wave catch up before picking up the pace. Occasionally, bikers take unnecessary chances with cars just to avoid getting dropped by the people who got through the intersection first. Give them a break.

STAY TO THE RIGHT - When riding, stay to the right of the road unless you are riding double or are passing. This will allow others to pass on your left without going into the lane of oncoming traffic. This is particularly important on the hills where the pack breaks up. Too often, riders will climb near the center line forcing faster riders to ride in the lane of oncoming traffic in order to pass. If you are getting passed on the hills, move over to give them some room. Stay out of the lane of oncoming traffic. Cars travel fast and can appear suddenly. Try not to pass on the right. If you must, give an "ON YOUR RIGHT" signal.

DEALING WITH CARS

SHARE THE ROAD - Nearly all the roads we ride on carry auto traffic as well as bicycles. We are adamant about our right to ride these roads but we have an obligation to ride in a manner than keeps conflicts to a minimum. The vast majority of the drivers are considerate of bikers. We tend to focus on the few that we exchange words with before they speed into the distance. Try to remember the ones that stop so that you can make a left turn. Most of us also drive.

COMMUNICATION - Avoid shouting at motorists or using nonstandard hand signals. I know, sometimes it is just too much to ask. But it doesn't help, and it can make enemies of the motorists.

RIDING DOUBLE - Riding two abreast is fine when the traffic is light and traffic can be seen well in advance. Sooner or later, a car will overtake the pack and the riders should be prepared to single up to allow the traffic by. The rider on the left should drop behind the rider on the right. The line of riders on the right will have to spread out to allow room for the riders moving in. This means the riders in the front must speed up and the riders in the rear slow up.

STAY IN YOUR LANE - Stay out of the lane of the oncoming traffic at all times. Cars approach too fast for safety and drivers do not expect a rider in their lane. Avoid riding three abreast for this reason. It places the rider on the left too close to the oncoming traffic. Stay out of the right hand turn lane when you are at an intersection waiting for the traffic to clear. This allows traffic to turn right while the pack is waiting for an opening.

SIGNAL TURNS - Riders should always signal turns. Let the traffic know what to expect. Signal like you mean it. Some rider's signals are so anemic that they could go unnoticed. All riders in a pack should signal. One or two people in a pack of twenty or so is not very convincing to drivers. It can lead to confusion.

LEFT TURNS - Left turns are one of the more dangerous maneuvers for a bike in traffic and should be done with care, following the rules of the road. Remember, the car behind is anxious to get around and may be tempted to pass. Begin the turn well in advance. Signal the turn and when the traffic behind is clear, move to the left hand side of the lane. Do not pull in front of a car expecting it to slow down for you. Stay on the left of the lane as you approach intersection and turn left when the oncoming traffic is clear. Before turning, glance over your left shoulder - a car may decide to pass you on the left as you turn.

PASSING CARS - Think twice any time you are tempted to pass a moving car, whether on the left or right. If a car is going slow enough to pass, it's probably going to do something other than go straight. It may turn into you as you pass. Be sure that you know what it will do before you pass. Riding to the front of a line of cars at a stop light and/or stop sign should be avoided. Ever notice how many people don't bother to signal? Cars can turn into you just as you start to pass. Another thing about passing cars at an intersection; those cars probably just passed you. Now they will have to re-pass you once you are through the intersection. A cyclist at the front can also slow up cars going through the intersection when the light turns green. Their patience may wear a bit thin in heavy traffic.

STOPPING - Every once in a while, the pack needs to pull over while someone adjusts a brake or visits nature. Move to the side of the road and out of the lane of traffic. There is no excuse for causing congestion when we are not even riding. This seems obvious, but a surprising number of people camp out in the lane of traffic when the pack comes to a stop.

PEDESTRIANS

Don't surprise pedestrians. When overtaking them (or other cyclists) call out "ON YOUR LEFT" (or RIGHT) well in advance. Be as polite as possible so that you don't sound like you are forcing them off the road. Let them know where you intend to go and then be ready for them to jump in front of you; sometimes they will. If the lead rider spots a pedestrian approaching the group on the same side of the road, they should call out "WALKER UP" so that the entire group is aware of the hazard. The group should move out from the right side of the road to allow the pedestrian room to get by.

SAFE RIDING TIPS

1. Observe all traffic laws. Your bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, so you're subject to the same traffic laws as the drivers of motorized vehicles.
2. Use hand and voice signals when turning or stopping.
3. Ride with traffic. Motorists don't look for bicycles going the "wrong way".
4. When riding at night, state law requires you to have, at a minimum, a white front head lamp and a red rear reflector, each visible from a distance of 500 feet. It's also a good idea to have a red taillight or blinker and to wear reflective clothing and safety vests to increase visibility. Flashing lights are not legal headlights.
5. Look ahead for road hazards (glass, potholes, cracks, metal grates, gravel, etc.) and call them out to other riders.
6. Cross railroad tracks at a 90° angle.
7. Watch for car doors opening in your path.
8. If you stop for any reason, move yourself and your bicycle completely off the road or trail.
9. Pass on the left, and use a bell or your voice to alert others that you're passing.
10. When there's traffic behind you, ride single-file so cars can pass.
11. Always wear your Helmet!!!

RIDING IN A PACELINE

As you become a more experienced rider, you will find that riding in a paceline is an exciting way to enhance your riding experience. In a paceline, the front rider breaks the wind, allowing the riders behind to draft him. By drafting the bicycle in front of you, you can reduce your energy output considerably. This has the effect of allowing the overall group to move faster than its riders could alone. While pacelines can be exciting and beneficial to everyone in the group, they can also be extremely dangerous. Since you are riding at a relatively high rate of speed only inches from the bicycle in front, you have very little time to react to any situations that may develop.

Tips for the Lead Rider in a Paceline

1. Ride smoothly at an even speed. On flat road your speed should be constant. If there is an incline in the road, your speed should decline slightly to keep the overall effort constant. Conversely, if there is a decline in the road, your speed should accelerate slightly.
2. Avoid braking at the front of a paceline! If you find yourself approaching a pothole or other obstacle that you can't avoid, it is better to ride through it and risk a flat, than to use your brakes and cause a serious accident further back in the line.
3. When assuming the front of a paceline, keep your speed smooth until the rider pulling off is able to get back in the line. If you are able to accelerate, do so smoothly and gradually so as not to cause a break in the line.
4. It is the responsibility of the lead rider to steer the paceline clear of, and call out, any oncoming obstacles. This is especially important in a paceline where the riders in the back may not be able to see what is coming. The lead rider needs to be looking well ahead on the road so that they have time to react to oncoming obstacles.
5. Be aware of wind direction. If there is a cross wind from the left, you should move as far to the left as you safely can to allow the riders behind you to ride on the right.
6. Stay at the front only as long as you are comfortably able to maintain the pace. Do not feel the need to stay out front as long, or go quite as fast, as others may have. It is better to take a short pull and get off before bogging down the whole line.
7. When you are finished with your pull and ready to get off the front you should first look over your shoulder to see if it is safe to move over. If it is clear, wiggle your arm to signal to the next rider that you are pulling off. The arm you wiggle signals the side that you want the other riders to pass you on. Keep pedaling as you move off the front. Don't slow your cadence until the following rider has begun to pull through.
8. Try not to use your brakes. Try sitting up or moving out of the draft slightly to let the air resistance slow you. If you must brake, use your rear brake to smoothly slow yourself.

Tips for All Riders in a Paceline

1. Ride smoothly and keep the gap in front of you constant. Avoid any sudden moves.
2. Try not to use your brakes. Try sitting up or moving out of the draft slightly to let the air resistance slow you. If you must brake, feather your rear brake to smoothly slow yourself.
3. The distance that you keep between your front wheel, and the rear wheel of the rider in front of you, will depend on your experience and comfort level with the other riders. Very experienced riders who have ridden together a lot may keep this gap as small as a few inches. If you have less experience, or are riding behind riders that you are not familiar with, you should increase this gap to 1-2 feet or more.
4. Keep your front wheel slightly offset from the rear wheel of the rider in front of you.
5. Look past the rider in front of you and up the road as much as possible. Avoid staring at the rear wheel in front of you as you will not be able to oncoming situations.
6. When re-entering the paceline after pulling off the front, begin pedaling about 2-3 riders from the back to increase your speed and move smoothly back into the line. If you wait until you are at the back before you accelerate, you will have to jump to catch the back of the line.