Bicycling is the nearest approximation I know to the flight of birds. The airplane simply carries a man on its back like an obedient Pegasus; it gives him no wings of his own. -- Louis J. Helle, Jr., Spring in Washington

The San Diego Recyclers Bicycle Club would like everyone to think about riding safety. New riders join the club throughout the year and it takes some time before a group of riders to ride smoothly together.

On Every Ride

Riding with the Group

Remember that the safety of a group depends on the actions of each rider. The dynamics of riding in a group are more complicated than riding alone. Only ride close to riders you have learned to trust.

BE AWARE - Watch out for the road, traffic, and other riders. Anticipate what is going to happen. Glance over your shoulder before you move out of your line. Be prepared for the unexpected.

BE PREDICTABLE - Predictability is the foundation of safe riding. Be sure that others know what you intend to do. Don't brake hard unless you absolutely must and then call out to warn other riders. Avoid passing on the right. Avoid cutting off others by maintaining your line and not cutting corners during turns. Use voice and hand signals.

BE RESPONSIBLE - Always ensure that you are not placing yourself in danger. Never blindly trust the actions or signals of other riders. For example, sometimes the group can become spread out and safe maneuvers made at the front of the group, such as merging across traffic lanes to make a left turn, may not be safe for the back of the group. Always verify that the actions you take are safe.

DON'T OVERLAP - Do not ride so that your front wheel is to the direct right or left of the rear wheel of the bike in front of you. In general, this is a blind spot for the rider in front of you and if they swerve to avoid a hazard, the 2 bikes may collide. When a collision occurs in this scenario, the rider in back typically loses control of their bicycle and crashes.

SIGNAL - Use voice and hand signals to alert fellow riders to potential hazards. Some standard voice signals include:

Safe Riding Tips

Riding in a Paceline

During some rides, when conditions are appropriate, some members of the group choose to ride in a pace line. This is optional, not a requirement. If you do plan to participate in a pace line, please familiarize yourself with the basic procedures and risks.

USA Cycling has some good tips for riding in a paceline