CRW Safety Guidelines

  • BE LEGAL - On bikes we are subject to the same laws as motorists, including observing red lights, stop signs and one-way streets. Obey all traffic laws: stop signs, traffic lights, pedestrian crosswalks, blocking "right turn on red" traffic lanes, etc.
  • PAY ATTENTION to all road conditions, traffic, other riders
  • SIGNAL YOUR INTENTIONS - Use hand and voice signals for all your moves. Yell out "stopping," "slowing," "passing," "left turn", etc. Let other riders in your group know what is happening. Demonstrate hand signals to new riders.
  • CALL OUT SPECIAL ROAD CONDITIONS - Sand, runner up, dog, horse, etc. Use hand signals as well whenever it is safe to do so. Point out road hazards to riders behind you.
  • OVERTAKING AND APPROACHING CARS - Riders near the rear of a group should call out, "Car back!" when a vehicle is approaching from behind. Riders near the front should call out “Car up” on narrow roads when a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction. Riders near the front of a group should call out or give a hand signal when there is a vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstruction that requires the riders to move left into the middle of the road so that it can be avoided. Be courteous to motorists and relinquish the right of way. On a narrow road, when you can see it is clear ahead, slow down and move to the far right side of the road to let the vehicle pass.
  • DO NOT YELL “CLEAR” WHEN IN AN INTERSECTION – Cars can approach very quickly and the conditions might be very different for a rider a few seconds behind you.
  • RIDE SINGLE FILE - Stay in single file when there is automobile traffic, not two and three abreast. Communicate with other riders in your group to also do so. Long pace lines are very difficult for motorists to pass. Break up the line if necessary, let the car pass, then rejoin.
  • DISPLAY SAFETY AND COURTESY - Pass other riders on the left only. Ride on the right side of the road, not in the middle. Call out, "On your left!" to let riders ahead of you know you are behind them and about to pass.
  • MOVE COMPLETELY OFF THE ROADWAY whenever stopping, even if only briefly. Stop only where traffic approaching from either direction can see you clearly. Be sure all riders in the group move completely off the roadway.
  • GROUP RIDING - Encourage riders to limit groups to 6-8 riders. When more than 6-8 riders are involved in tight groups, there is no improvement in drafting, there is increased risk of accidents among riders, and it is significantly harder for cars to pass the group.
  • REMEMBER, in any accident with an automobile, YOU LOSE!!
  • IN CLOSING - We can be an overwhelming presence on the road and in the small communities we pass through. Please help CRW with our community relations. Make an extra effort to be courteous to one another and to local citizens.