SAFETY

 

Plymouth County Cyclists Ride & Safety Recommendations

PCC strives to maintain its historical good safety record. In that effort, all members are asked to

ride responsibly and adhere to the following rules and recommendations. 

 

 

Riding:

1. Bicycle riders, like drivers of motor

vehicles, must obey all traffic laws.

2. All riders are required to properly

wear an approved helmet while

riding on any PCC ride.

3. Personal listening devices (MP3

players, I-Pods, earbuds, headphones,

etc.) are discouraged on PCC rides.

4. The use of cell phones is

discouraged while riding.

5. On night rides every bicycle should

be equipped with a proper operating

headlight and taillight.

6. Small children who are not riding

a bike must be in a child seat affixed

to the bike, on a tag-a-long or in an

attached bike trailer.

 

Recommendations (Before Riding):

1. Make sure that your bike is in good and safe working condition.

2. Each rider should carry an extra tube, patch kit, tire levers, bike tool and a pump.

3. Know which brake handle is for your rear brake (normally the right) and use it as your primary brake or in

conjunction with the front brake. Do not apply only your front brake.

4. All riders should wear visible clothing, and protective glasses are recommended.

5. Riders should have a rear view mirror on glasses or helmet or attached to the bike.

6. Hydration is necessary, and each rider should carry water and/or a sports drink and drink.

 

Recommendations (While Riding):

1. Riders should be helpful to and responsible for each other.

2. Do not ride beyond your ability and ride in a predictable manner.

3. Riders should ride no more than two abreast, and should ride single file when there is heavy traffic on

roads, streets or trails.

4. Ride as far to the right as is safe and practical. Take the full lane if that is the only safe way to proceed and

move to the right as soon as it is safe to do so

5. Use hand signals and communicate verbally for turning, slowing, and stopping. Point out and verbalize

road hazards or other road conditions such as: “pothole”, “stick”, “glass”, “bike up”, “car up”, “car back”,

“on your left”, etc.

6. Do not ride too close to the bike ahead or to the bike next to you.

7. When you are going straight through an intersection, without a right turn lane, make sure that you are

aware of right turning motor vehicles next to you or behind you.

8. When going through an intersection without a stop light, do not give voice signals such as “clear” or “ok”.

Each rider must make a determination that it is safe to proceed through the intersection based upon his or

her understanding of the conditions.

9. Do not block right turn lanes when the group is going straight.

10. When a group of riders comes to a four way stop, the whole group should stop. If there is no traffic, the whole group may then proceed through the intersection. If there is stopped traffic, no more than 4-6 riders should go through the stop together in order to alternate with stopped motor vehicles.

11. Attrailcrossingsmakesureallmovingvehicletraffichasclearedthecrossingandthencrosswhensafeto do so.

12. Noridershouldattempttostop,blockordirectmotorvehicletrafficinordertoallowallridersinagroupto make a road or trail crossing.

13. Do not confront motorists.

14. On night rides riders should wear reflective clothing (vests or jackets) and/orreflective or lighted armbands

or ankle bands and should carry extra batteries for the front and rear lights.