Traffic Laws

• Bicyclists follow the normal rules of the road for drivers in order to deter collisions with cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
• Bicyclists must obey red lights and stop signs. 
• When traveling slowly, use the right hand thru lane except when approaching turns. 
• Ride entirely within a single marked travel lane. Do not ride on a lane line; allow drivers to use the adjacent lane to pass. 
• Look and yield to adjacent traffic before moving laterally.
• Do not pass stopped traffic queues on the right; get in line with other traffic (wait the middle of the lane) at intersections. 
• Respect the traffic laws for operating around school buses and emergency vehicles.
• When stopping to rest, talk or regroup, move completely off of the roadway. 

Proximity Considerations

• Riding in close proximity to other cyclists requires additional care.
• The benefits of proximity include greater efficiency (lower wind resistance, less wasted effort), greater speed, and higher traffic throughput.
• Close formations require cooperation and trust. Don't follow another cyclist at close distance without their consent.
• Physical contact with another rider or their bicycle should never be done without the other rider's verbal request. This includes contact with a rider to assist in maintaining a consistent speed. Such contact could be unwanted or misconstrued and could also startle a rider and cause loss of control.

Predictability

• Visibility is important. Approach other road users from where they are looking for traffic, and use front and rear lights at night.
• Changes in speed and position should be gradual and not unexpected when in a group.
• The most visible and predictable group formation is a double paceline (see Group Formations).

Communication

• Verbalization – Announce your movements when slowing, stopping, overtaking, and changing formation.
• Signaling – Use hand signals before moving left, right, stopping/slowing, and point out surface hazards and conditions that require moving laterally.
• Call out unexpected or potentially unseen hazards such as potholes, animals, and cars overtaking under unsafe conditions. Don't call "car back" for every vehicle that overtakes; save warnings for situations that are unsafe or unexpected, such as when other cyclists are encroaching on the left lane, or there is a conflict with oncoming traffic.
• Surface hazards are hard for following bicyclists to see in a group, so take special care to call and/or point them out and lead followers into a safe path around them.
• If you call out, use a direction (ex: “Hole Left” or Hole center”) so following cyclists can avoid the hazard.
• Tell people right away if you experience a mechanical or health problem – this reduces the danger of a collision should you need to slow down or move suddenly, and they can help you with your issue.
• Don’t use headphones, earbuds, or cell phones while cycling. You need to be able to hear other cyclists and to be focused on your surroundings.

Group Rides
Group rides are popular for camaraderie, efficiency, support and security. Cycling in groups is safer and more enjoyable for everyone when cyclists act cooperatively and predictably. This guide provides an introduction to expectations, skills, laws and best practices for group rides.
​No-Drop Rides

• When a no-drop ride is advertised, some portion of the group will stay with and support slower cyclists even if they cannot maintain the advertised pace.

17-18 mph - Aerobic pace for intermediate riders
15-16 mph - Conversational pace, opportunities for skill and endurance development
12-14 mph - Beginner or social pace for fun and supporting new cyclists

• The advertised pace is the average over entire ride, not including stops. Expect to go slower uphill, faster downhill and slightly faster on straight, level ground.
• Estimate your preferred pace based on how strong you will feel at the end of the distance.
• Understand your physical conditioning and limitations on the day of the ride. If you have not ridden for two months, drop down a level. Same if you are experiencing pain or tiredness even before your ride. Remember that what pace you rode at during the summer does not translate to the winter.
• Don’t try to start out faster than the advertised pace; save your energy.