Search Results for: where should i ride

Stopping Groups often stop together at rest areas, to regroup, or in response to mechanical problems. Groups may also stop as a courtesy if traffic has backed up for a long time without an opportunity to pass. Stopping as a group requires care to execute safely. Leaving the Roadway Do not stop or stand in the roadway to rest or wait for others. § 20-161 Stop your bicycle off the roadway on a shoulder, sidewalk area or public driveway/parking area. If you must stop immediately with no safe paved surface outside the roadway, signal your stop, stop carefully, and then walk your … [Read more...]

Pacelines Pacelines significantly reduce a group’s wind resistance, allowing travel at higher speeds and longer distances with lower pedaling effort. However, riding in the draft of another bicyclist requires skill and constant attention. Following are some important things to keep in mind about paceline riding. Following Distance Always maintain safe distance when drafting in a paceline; don’t overlap wheels. If your front wheel overlaps and  touches the side of the rear wheel in front of you, you will most likely fall. But if you get too far away, you may have trouble keeping up. … [Read more...]

Group Sizes Advantages of Compact Groups 12 or fewer cyclists form a compact group (no larger than a tractor-trailer) that is fairly easy to pass via the next lane on most roads. Many experienced cyclists find groups of 10-12 to be ideal, providing good efficiency without being too big. For twisty mountain roads lacking sections with long sight distances, a smaller size of 6-8 cyclists is preferable. Communication and leadership are highly effective in small groups. Beginning cyclists can learn through close personal supervision from more experienced cyclists in a consistent, … [Read more...]

Cooperative Principles Traffic Laws Bicyclists follow the normal rules of the road for drivers in order to deter collisions with cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists. Bicyclists have the legal right to use public roadways as well as a legal responsibility to negotiate traffic safely and predictably. § 20-4.01(49) Bicyclists must obey red lights and stop signs. § 20-158 When traveling slowly, use the right hand thru lane except when approaching turns. § 20-146(b) Ride entirely within a single marked travel lane. Do not ride on a lane line; allow drivers to use the adjacent … [Read more...]

Bicyclists are unnecessarily delayed and put at risk by demand-actuated traffic signals that will not turn green for bicyclists. Local routes that are important to bicyclists often cross or turn left at intersections on high-speed, high-volume thoroughfares where one cannot proceed safely or legally without demand-actuated signal protection. While some states and local North Carolina communities (e.g. Cary and Chapel Hill) routinely design and adjust signal sensors to detect bicycles and motorcycles using ordinary inductive loop technology, many communities do not. This article presents … [Read more...]