Street Skills

orWhy dont we do it in the road?

SkillsSharing the road with carsPrinciples that apply to all road usersAvoiding hazardsEtiquette on the bikeThe big picture

The Basics: Street Skills Most accidents do not involve cars!

Learn to keep control of your bikeBe alert and avoid hazardsMaintain your bike properlyKnow how to respond to road and weather conditionsRide carefully around other cyclists

Street Skills Learn to keep control of your bike

Street Skills

Be alert and avoid hazards

Street Skills Know how to respond to road and weather conditions.

Be visible at night!

Street Skills Know how to maintain your bike in safe operating condition.

Street Skills Ride carefully around other cyclists!

Every cyclist should be able to:Execute an emergency stopMake an emergency right turnDodge a rockHold a line while looking over her shoulderChange a flat, use a chain toolBe self-sufficientExtra credit: Bunny hop

Sharing the Road with CarsLaws that Pertain to Cyclists SignageYour On-road Placement Time of Day Considerations Interactions with Drivers Road selection

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists 307.188. Rights And Duties Of Bicycle And Motorized Bicycle RidersEvery person riding a bicycle or motorized bicycleupon a street or highway shall be granted all of therights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists 307.190.Riding To Right, Required For Bicycles And Motorized BicyclesEvery person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles.

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists 300.347.Riding Bicycle On Sidewalks,(1)No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district; (2) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk,such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists300.411 And 304.678 Overtake Bicycles At A Safe Distance (NEW) The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, as defined in section 300.010,RSMo,shall leave a safe distance, when passing the bicycle, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. (2) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of an infraction unless an accident is involved in which case it shall be a class C misdemeanor.

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists 307.191.Shoulder Riding, Allowed But Not Required For Bicyclist Operators(1)A person operating a bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway may operate as described in section 307.190,or may operate on the shoulder adjacent to the roadway.(2) A bicycle operated on a roadway, or the shoulder adjacent to a roadway,shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway.(3)For purposes of this section and section 307.190, roadway, means that portion of a street or highway ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists 307.192. Bicyclists May Signal Right Turn With Right Arm (NEW)The operator of a bicycle shall signal as required in section 304.019,RSMo,except that a signal by the hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed to control or operate the bicycle. An operator of a bicycle intending to turn the bicycle to the right shall signal as indicated in section 304.019,RSMo, or by extending such operators right arm in a horizontal position so that the same may be seen in front and in rear of the vehicle.

Laws that Pertain To Cyclists 300.350.Riding Bicycle, By Attaching To Another Vehicle, ProhibitedNo person riding upon any bicycle, vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

Full lane signs

Your On-road Position

General principles of all traffic: Slower traffic moves to the rightAlways move in the direction of trafficSignal intentions and be predictable

Discussion Topics:Ride on the right Directional Positioning Speed Positioning Visibility Take the lane Extra wide lanes

Your On-road Position.Ride on the right-Yield to traffic in busier lanes -Yield to traffic in destination lane

But Only as far over as is safe Prepare for moves to the left

Your On-road Position.Directional PositioningPosition yourself in the right-most lane that goes in the direction of your destination

- Ride in the right third of the lane

- Avoid being overtaken in narrow-lane situations by riding in the right third of the lane

Your On-road Position.Speed Positioning Position yourself relative to the speed of other traffic

- Left-most lane is for fastest moving traffic, right most for slower traffic

- Yield to faster moving vehicles by staying to the right in the lane

- Take the entire lane if traveling the same speed as traffic or in a narrow lane

Your On-road Position.Visibility Always ride in or near a travel lane; stay visible by riding where drivers are looking

Wear bright clothing at night as well as during the day

Do not pass on the right

- Use lights during dusk and dark hours of the day

Your On-road Position.

-If there is insufficient road width for cyclists and cars

-If traveling the same speed as other traffic

-If hazards narrow the usable width

-Before intersections and turns to assert your position on the roadway

Take the lane

Your On-road Position.

-Do not ride completely to the right; you will be more visible 3-4 feet away from traffic

-Right turning cars and cars entering will be more likely to see you before they turn

-Be careful of motorists passing on the right around left-turning vehiclesExtra wide lanes

Time of Day ConsiderationsTraffic flow and peak hours -Waiting 10 to 20 minutes can make a big difference in the number of cars -Most roads have small peak periodsLighting - Sunrise and sunset-be extremely cautious of those driving into the sun.Off-hours - Most drivers are not looking for a cyclist at 4am. Slow down and give drivers notice

Interactions with Drivers Reporting accidents Local Police Missouri Bicycle Federation Trailnet

Why to report Statistics Insurance Alert authorities to a known hazard

Try to Keep it Cool

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hitDont hug the curb. Moving a little into the lane makes you more visible and gives you room to maneuver.

10 ways to avoid getting hit

10 ways to avoid getting hit

Etiquette

EtiquetteObey the lawDont be disgustingBe self-sufficient

Rural etiquetteBuy localIf you use a business restroom, buy somethingRespect peoples property and timeBe friendly

Multi Use Path EtiquetteKeep speed downYield to walkersAnnounce yourselfDont stop on path

Paceline EtiquetteKnow your skill levelIntroduce yourselfNo aerobarsTake your turnCall out hazards or movementsMaintain the paceFood, drink, other needs only at the back

Be an ambassador

Think of the next riderSupport advocacyGet involved

Consider commuting!

Be safe, and youll keep riding for a long, long time.Thanks!

****Be able to hold a straight line, stop and turn quickly, practice riding on lightly traveled roads**The door is a hazard that is common and unique to cyclists. Theres a bunch of others. Can anybody name some? RR Tracks, potholes, concrete seams, rumble strips, glass, wet leaves, wet manhole covers, steel plates, stripes.

*Along with knowing your skill level is being able to decide in what conditions you will go or not go. Bike setup, gear, trip parameters and comrades all will influence your choice. Is there a bailout option, such as Metro or a friend, if things go south? As a commuter, I often check the weather radar before leaving home or work. There is also emergency road service for cyclists, betterworld.org.

With the right equipment, such as a ski-mounted bike, your options increase dramatically.**Before each trip, check the tires, the cranks and the steering. Make sure you have a spare tube, tools and air source as well as a phone and some change.*True story I was on one group ride and thought it was a good idea to stop at a stop sign. I nearly got a bike up my saddle bag, since some of the other riders had no intention of stopping. Know the general skill level and vibe of the people you are with, or leave them some space until you get to feel comfortable around them.**Weve established that non-car accidents are more prevalent, right? Right? But the fear is the motoristespecially the inattentive or malicious driver. I hope I can give you some information that will make those interactions more pleasant and safer.*This is the biggie and you will note that, when I get into the specifics of accident avoidance, nearly every accident can be avoided by acting as if you are driving a car. Seems counterintuitive, but seriously, you are safer being onroad, predictable and mannerly, than taking flight to the sidewalk.******Advocates fought long and hard for share the road signs, but theres a lot of confusion about what they mean. Anybody want to give a shot? It means motorists should watch for cyclists. Generally, in an area where there is documented bike use, but the lane is too narrow for a car and bike to safely share.******Allow yourself room to maneuver around roadway hazards *Ride in the right third of the right-most lane that goes in the direction you are going *Position yourself in the right-most lane that goes in the direction of your destination Ride in the right third of the lane Avoid being overtaken in narrow-lane situations by riding in the right third of the lane

Yield to traffic in busier lanes Roads with higher traffic volumes should be given right-of-way Always use signals to indicate your intentions to switch lanes Look behind you to indicate your desire to move and to make sure that you can

Yield to traffic in destination lane Traffic in your destination lane has the right-of-way Making eye contact with drivers lets them know that you see them Signal and make your lane change early, before you need to

Directional Positioning

Speed Positioning Position yourself relative to the speed of other traffic Left-most lane is for fastest moving traffic, right-most for slower traffic Yield to faster moving vehicles by staying to the right in the lane Take the entire lane if traveling the same speed as traffic or in a narrow lane

Visibility Always ride in or near a travel lane; stay visible by riding where drivers are looking Wear bright clothing at night as well as during the day *Do not pass on the right; motorists are not looking for other vehicles there

Take the lane *If there is insufficient road width for cyclists and cars If traveling the same speed as other traffic or if hazards narrow the usable width *Before intersections and turns to assert your position on the roadway

Extra wide lanes Do not ride completely to the right; you will be more visible 3-4 feet away from traffic Right turning cars and cars entering will be more likely to see you before they turn Be careful of motorists passing on the right around left-turning vehicles

Hazards Parked cars Ride in a straight line, not in and out of parked cars on the side of the road Beware of cars merging into the roadway from a parallel parking position *Always ride far enough away from parked cars to avoid hitting a surprise open door, most car door open 3 to 4 feet

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