Use Your Noggin

These guidelines are posted by the League of American Bicyclists. They were created in Portland in response to some bike/car accidents.  I think they are great rules to follow, and will help keep us safe on the roads.

1. Be courteous and share the road. Being courteous gains respect and helps make the roads safer for all  cyclists.
2. The law allows you to ride two abreast, but it may not be the courteous or safe option.
3. If you hear a vehicle approaching from behind, ride single file. Don’t ride three abreast.
4. If you’re blocking a whole line of cars and there’s a place to safely pull off be courteous and stop.
5. Don’t wander all over the road. Try to ride predictably and as far right as safely as you can. This does not mean to ride in an area that is littered with road debris or places you at risk. 
6. Do take the lane if it safe to do so if there is a blind corner, high-risk junction or narrowing of the road.
7. Use common sense – don’t pee in people’s yards or hang out across the entire road if you’re waiting for a regroup.
8. Stop at stop signs and signals. By law, cyclists must obey all traffic control devices.
9. Signal your intentions if you can safely do so. If you are turning, point in the direction you plan on going. If you are slowing, put your hand out behind you.
10. If you wave a car around you, don’t get impatient. Remember that it is their decision to make as to whether it is safe to pass.
11. If you’re in a group, take leadership, set a good example and do your best to make everyone ride courteously.
12. Pay attention! While it is the responsibility of drivers to avoid hitting you, ride defensively to minimize risk!
13. Remember the 5% rule. 5% of drivers are jerks. Don’t let that 5% get to you. Take a deep breath and move on.
14. Be friendly. If someone is courteous to you and does the right thing, wave and smile.  Everyone likes to be acknowledged for doing the right thing.

And some of my own that I think are courteous to everyone on the road and trail:

1. If you are going straight across an intersection at a traffic light, stay in the straight lane.  Don’t crowd the  right turning lane so that cars can’t get through to turn. And definitely stay out of the left lane at stop signs, etc.
2. Pass information forward from the back of the pack.  Riders dropped, flat tire, car back, etc. Those at the front do not necessarily know what is happening at the rear. Communication is important.
3. The riders in the front need to point out obstacles in the road.  Keep it realistic.  A hole is not a tiny little piece of missing pavement. This includes signaling turns.
4. Watch the “throw back” on inclines.  Ease up off your seat while maintaining speed and pressure on the pedals.  This is a skill that everyone should learn.
5. You owe it to your fellow pack rider to learn the skills needed to ride in a pack.  Everyone’s safety is at stake.
6. Carry whatever you need with you, and that includes a spare tube, CO2, food, gels etc.  No-one wants to use up their spares because you aren't prepared.
7. Keep your eyes in front of you and watch what you’re doing, even when having a conversation with the rider next to you.
8. Never weave through cars waiting at a traffic light, just so you can take off first when the light turns green.
9. Team Headstrong’s cycling uniform is bright, stands out, and is memorable.  We need to be good ambassadors for the sport.  Leading by example is very effective.
10. The speed limit on the Swamp Rabbit Trail is 20 miles an hour.  That doesn't mean blow past other trail users as close to 20mph as possible. The trail is not our personal training ground. We have to share the trail.
11. Get a bell for your bike and use it on the trail.  Other trail users appreciate the warning, and little kids on the trail will think you are cool.
12. I can’t think of another one right now, but I like round numbers.  Talking about round numbers, how about always wear your helmet, and keep your head round?!