BEST PRACTICES FOR CYCLING

The following is a set of rules of etiquett, could even be for your OWN survival on the Little Miami Scenic Trail

Always keep in mind that there are others just like you out on the cycling trail and rules of safety and courtesy reign supreme.

INTERACTING WITH OTHER BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS:
Use hand signals and reinforce verbally.
1. Hand down and call out "Slowing" or "Stopping".
2. Point left or right and call out "Turning".
3. Repeat signals you receive for riders behind you.
4. Be Predictable—no sudden moves.
5. Hold your line and speed.
6. Look and hand signal before making changes.
7. Move right as practicable to permit bikes to pass.
8. Move into single file as quickly as possible if riding two abreast.
9. Call out unexpected or potentially unseen hazards such as potholes, animals, and bikes overtaking under unsafe conditions.
10. If you call out, use a direction (ex: “Hole Left” or Hole center”) so following cyclists can avoid the hazard.
11 Riding in close proximity to other cyclists requires additional care.
12. Close formations require cooperation and trust.
13. Visibility is important.
14. When stopping to rest, talk or regroup, move completely off of the trail.
15. Restarting:
15.1. Announce your intentions and readiness in advance of restarting.
15.2. Ensure that there is no other traffic coming.
16. Watch out for young riders and walkers on the trail.
17. Tell people right away if you experience a mechanical or health problem – this reduces the danger of a collision should you need to slow down or move suddenly, and they can help you with your issue.
18. Pass other bicycles and pedestrians on the left and call out "On Your Left", or use a bike bell.
19. Don’t use headphones, earbuds, or cell phones while cycling. You need to be able to hear other cyclists and to be focused on your surroundings.
20. Be alert and aware - continuously scan your surroundings.
21. Look through/beyond the riders ahead of you.
22. Maintain enough space around yourself so you can respond to the unexpected.
23. Never overlap your front wheel with the back wheel of the rider ahead.
24. Anticipate potential problems.
25. Wear bright or light colors.
26. Make eye contact with motorized vehicles, riders and pedestrians
27. Be courteous at all times and acknowledge courteous behavior.

BE PREPARED, ALSO BRING WITH YOU:
1. Keep bikes in 100% working order - tires inflated, brakes and drivetrain ready to roll.
2. Your helmet - although infrequent, falls can happen, and a helmet reduces your risk of serious injury. Help each other get a good fit of their helmet.
3. Some form of identification and emergency contact and medical information, e.g. a Road ID, medical alert bracelet, etc.
4. Comfortable clothing for cycling, including bike gloves.
5. Sunscreen depending on weather.
6. Water or sports drink. Rule of thumb: Plan to drink one bottle per hour of cycling; Refill opportunities will usually be provided for rides over two hours. We had an incident where a stoker was dehydrated and caused issues.
7. a charged cell phone.
8. A spare tube, tire levers and patch kit.
9. A pump or inflator.
10. Keep first aid kits?
11. Keep Ben's maps handy.
12. People with smart phones get the Red Cross first aid app?

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES WHEN RIDING ON THE ROAD:
1. Bicyclists must obey red lights and stop signs and all traffic laws.
2. Always ride on the right side of the road—ride with traffic.
Honor all right-of-ways at intersections—vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
3. Call out approaching vehicles: "Car Up;" "Car Back".
4. Don't call "car back" for every vehicle that overtakes; save warnings for situations that are unsafe or unexpected, such as when other cyclists are encroaching on the left lane, or there is a conflict with oncoming traffic.
5. Make eye contact with drivers.
6. Assume you are invisible.
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