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Making a Great Ride Greater – Etiquette On The Move

il_fullxfull.384476172_tm43Update: Organized rides across the country are experiencing pushback from communities frustrated by riders who flaunt the rules of the road. Besides crashes and fights, some communities have disqualified permits and insurance companies have denied event coverage. So please be courteous and, above all, be safe.

You’re about to embark on an epic adventure – one that has the ability to change lives for good. You’re helping raise money for some great causes. You’re getting the chance to meet some amazing people from some of the most awesome communities in the world. And last – but far from least – you get to have an entire week of fun with 2,199 other people with at least one shared passion.

While you might not know a lot of your fellow riders today, that’s about to change. In a few days you’ll all be friends and family. One of the very best ways to facilitate this wonderful transformation is to ride in such a way that you make sure everyone is having as much fun as you are. Here’s how:

Maintain Road Awareness – We’ll be on some pretty rural roads most of the time, but there will always be traffic. You, your fellow riders, Cycle Oregon support vehicles, motorists and people who live in the area are all going to be on the road. Knowing at all times what and who is around you is a great help to you and everyone else. Keep your eyes and ears open, and frequently check your six, and you’ll be well on your way. Mirrors help a lot with all of this, and we highly encourage that you use one.

Position Yourself Strategically – If you’re a slower rider, keep to the right. If you’re a faster rider, give those you pass a wide berth. If you you’re being passed, move to the right. If you’re going to stop, move over to the right before doing so (ESPECIALLY if you’re on a steep climb). If that’s not possible, make sure no one is right behind you before you jump off. If you have no reason to change your position, hold your line.

Communicate – If you notice a car coming from behind, let your fellow riders know by calling “car back.” If you see a car coming toward you, it’s “car up.”

If you’re passing or stopping, let that be known as well. Likewise, if you notice a hazard, point it out (and if you want to give a hand signal, point toward the hazard, not in the direction someone needs to go to avoid it).

Pass Properly – Before you pass, check behind you and to your left before you make your move. Assume another rider or a support vehicle is passing you at all times. Those of us who drive on the course regularly know this is something a lot of folks tend to forget. Keep in mind that support vehicles are often driving slowly and quietly until it’s safe to pass riders. Don’t assume you’ll hear them.

If there’s a car behind you or someone is passing you, hang back a few seconds until the coast is clear. Also, when you hear “car back,” wait to initiate your pass until the car goes by. Going for the quick pass when you hear “car back” is dangerous and obnoxious. When you finish your pass, move back to the right when it’s safe to do so (someone might want to pass you, Speed Racer). Don’t pass someone who is in the process of passing someone else.

Remember, this isn’t a race, and your desire to get around slower riders should never put you or them in jeopardy. We never run out of beer, food or places to pitch your tent.

Obey Traffic Laws – All of them. It’s amazing how many people do blatantly silly stuff. Blowing off a stop sign isn’t a good idea. Blowing off a stop sign WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING FOR TRAFFIC is just dumb. And it’s something we see happening frequently. If you’re going to stop along the route, Oregon law dictates that you pull off the road. Likewise, it requires riding single-file if there’s traffic behind you. Keep in mind that the motorcycle police who accompany us can and will issue tickets as warranted.

etiquettebook_smPaceline Politely – Riding in a paceline is a lot of fun – particularly if you’re a skilled and seasoned rider. (It is never recommended to paceline with anyone other than you are used to pacelining with.) But your fun should not come at the expense of everyone else’s fun (not to mention safety). Please restrict paceline riding to areas where it’s safe. If your whole group can’t safely pass riders, don’t pass. And if you have to drop off your paceline to avoid putting someone else in danger, do it.

Share the road – “Share the road” is not simply a saying to remind motorists that they need to make room for cyclists. It works the other way around. On an event like Cycle Oregon, it’s important to make sure we leave room for traffic. Riding three (or four or five) abreast while letting cars stack up behind you is not sharing the road. Moreover, it isn’t the way to endear ourselves to the local motorists (many of whom are our hosts). We’re ambassadors of our sport, and the way we conduct ourselves on the road matters.


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  1. bob elken says:

    Ettiquette is great, but the word SAFTEY needs to be brought out also.
    BIKE SAFTEY to many riders are clueless on saftey

    You mentioned many great parts to the whole issue, a few more.

    Pacelines, how many, last year I was passed by 14, they said they were only 7, but 7 abreast, a Ptld group.

    Bike lights are a great addition

    Do not pass on the RIGHT, happens to often.

    Bikers obsession with black and dark tops is very unsafe
    and hazardous to ones health. LIGHTEN UP A BIT.

    Saftey is my big concern as a fairly new biker.

    Mosier Bob