Ride S.M.A.R.T
Safety - Maintenance - Awareness - Responsibility - Training

Safety Clinic Dates & Locations

Bicycle Maintenance Safety Checklist

The Rules of the Road

Good Ideas for Cycling Smart

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Riding in Wet Weather

                                          Safety & Courtesy

All cyclists are responsible for keeping their riding equipment in good working order. If you are new to cycling or have never given regular bike maintenance a second thought, this brief checklist is for you. Get into the habit of checking your bicycle and equipment before every ride. Small adjustments can make the difference between a successful finish and a terrible experience. Be sure to check off each of the items on this list before you ride.

• Check your wheels for worn tires, loose spokes, warped rims and proper inflation.
• Check your handlebar for looseness at the headset and stem.
• Check brakes for cable tightness, worn pads and alignment of the pads with the rims.
• Check your saddle for seat post bolt tightness and proper fit.
• Check for chain looseness and bad links. Clean regularly. Lubricate with bicycle chain lube.
• Check the derailleur for worn cogs and adjustment.
• Check that your gears change smoothly.
• Check your pedals and cranks for tightness.
• Check your shoes for tight cleats and straps and buckles in good repair.
• Check your helmet for proper fit and worn straps.
• When in doubt, take your bike into one of our participating bike shops for a free safety check

Experience has taught us that cyclists on public roads must possess basic bike handling skills and knowledge in order to keep themselves and the others around them safe, especially while participating in group cycling.  When you ride a bike in traffic, you are an operator of a vehicle.  You have the same rights and responsibilities as a driver in a car or truck.  You must give signals, obey signs and lights, yield the right of way, and keep a sharp lookout for danger - just like cars do.  To be a safe bicyclist, learn the following "Rules of the Road."

• Wear a helmet.  This is mandatory to participate in Bike MS Tour - no exceptions!
• Obey all traffic signs & signals - especially stop signs!  It Is The Law.
• Ride on the right side of the lane, a few feet from the edge.
• Give hand signals when stopping or turning.
• Pass on the left only and call out, "On Your Left" when passing other cyclists. When you hear, "On Your Left" behind you, don't turn around.  Hold steady and be courteous enough to let that person pass. Never wear headphones while riding, that way you'll hear these signals.
• Cycle with traffic, never against it.
• Never ride more than two abreast.
• Never wear headphones while riding.
• When stopping to rest or make repairs, get completely off the pavement.
• Do not draft behind motor vehicles, and do not follow other cyclists too closely.
• In the rain, pay special attention to metal & slick surfaces, such as manhole covers and allow for farther braking distance--dry rims by applying the brake ahead of time.
• Talk to your fellow cyclists.  Let them know "Car Back", "On Your Left" or "Stopping."
• Keep clear of road-edge hazards such as trash, drains, & parked vehicles; watch out for sand and gravel.
• Watch for people in parked cars -- they can easily swing their door open or pull into traffic without seeing you.
• Wear bright clothing so that motorists can better see you.
• Pay attention to pedestrians. A cycle / pedestrian collision can be deadly.
• When preparing for a lane change or turn, you are your own lookout -- don't blindly follow the rider ahead of you into an intersection.
• If at any time you have an emergency while on the MS Bike Tour, stay calm and flag down road crew help immediately, or call 911.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the philosophy of the Bike MS Tour that our cyclists must ride with knowledge, respect and awareness. If you are found to be disobeying the rules of the road, you are subject to ticketing & fines by local law enforcement, and you run the risk of having your rider number pulled, removing you from the Tour. Please help us continue the tradition of a safe and sane Bike MS Tour!

THE BIKE MS TOUR ROUTE IS NOT CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
ALL RIDERS MUST FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

Riders must follow the rules of the road, but it is just as important to follow these tips and practice cycling etiquette:

• Check your helmet for proper fit. Side straps should be vertical.
• Consider using eyewear to protect your eyes.
• Don't forget to use sunscreen, even on a cloudy day.
• Ride in a straight line. Do not weave.
• Cross railroad tracks at a right angle.
• Wear bright clothing so that motorists can better see you.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including motorists, pedestrians, other riders and road hazards.
• Make eye contact with drivers before turning.
• Always make left turns from the left-turn lane.
• Glance back before moving right or left.
• Watch for people in parked cars, they can easily swing their door open or pull into traffic without seeing you. Hint: If you see movement inside a car, you should expect a door to open!
• Watch out for yourself. Do not depend on other riders to spot hazards.
• Talk to your fellow cyclists. Let them know "CAR BACK", "ON YOUR LEFT", OR "STOPPING", "SLOWING", "DOOR", etc.
• Before passing, be sure it is clear, then signal. When passing another cyclist, call out "ON YOUR LEFT". When you hear someone say "ON YOUR LEFT", do not turn around. Hold handlebars steady and keep your bike straight.
• Hitting an object in the road is the cause of most accidents. Avoid making quick, sharp swerves from side-to-side when dodging obstacles.
• Point out road hazards, such as potholes, to riders behind you.
• If you need to stop, move completely off the road and out of the path of others.
• Be especially careful and vigilant when approaching and leaving rest stops.
• Avoid getting into pace lines with people you don't know. Pace line skills vary greatly among riders. Watch for cyclists behind you when you break the line.

As much as everyone wants to stay safe, there are some errors that every cyclist makes. These are some common errors to avoid:

• Following too closely behind other bicyclists or cars.
• Drafting behind motor vehicles.
• Staying on the pavement when stopping to rest.
• Being too close to road-edge hazards such as trash, low branches and parked vehicles.
• Being too close to drains, sand and gravel.
• Riding more than two side-by-side.

While we hope that sunny California stays that way, we will ride the Tour rain or shine. Follow these techniques to stay safe in case of wet weather:

• Allow for longer braking distances.
• Dry the wheel rims by applying the brakes ahead of time. Even if the ground is not slick, wet rims will reduce performance.
• Brake more gently on slick surfaces and use the front brake less.
• Turn and accelerate more gently to prevent sliding on slick surfaces.
• Pay special attention to metal and other slick surfaces, such as manhole covers, painted traffic markings, wet leaves and oil slicks.
• Be prepared to put a foot down for balance.
• Avoid riding through puddles when you cannot see the bottom. Puddles can often hide deep potholes.
• After riding in the rain, re-lubricate your bike chain to help prevent rusting.

The Bike MS Tour IS NOT A RACE. It is an organized fundraising bicycle ride to benefit people living with MS. In a large field of riders from various cycling backgrounds and expertise, all participants MUST practice friendly, courteous and, above all, safe cycling etiquette from start to finish. Everyone in the MS Bike Tour is united toward one goal: to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.

To celebrate your commitment to cycling safety and etiquette, you may be approached throughout the weekend by our MS Bike Tour Courtesy Rider monitors. If members of our Safety Crew spot you practicing safe, courteous and smart cycling, you will be rewarded and acknowledged at our overnight celebration!

PLEASE NOTE: Bike MS Tour participants must ride with knowledge, respect and awareness. If you are found to be disobeying the rules of the road, you are subject to ticketing & fines by local law enforcement, and you run the risk of having your bib number pulled, removing you from the Tour. Please help us continue the tradition of a safe and sane MS Bike Tour!

RIDE SMART! — your actions may be followed by the person/people behind you.
Behaving in an unsafe manner is cause for immediate removal from the route and/or from the event.

SAFE CYCLING IS FUN CYCLING!