Traffic Skills 101 Chris Gist, LCIMac Lafferty, LCI

Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

1.Saddle 2.Seat Post 3. Seat stay 4. Brake 5. Rear derailleur 6. Chain stay 7. Chain 8. Cranks 9. Pedal 10. Front derailleur 11. Seat tube 12. Down tube 13. Top tube 14. Stem 15. Headset 16. STI dual function brake and shift lever 17. Fork 18. Rim 19. Tire 20. Tire valve

Getting Started: Buying a Bike How much to spend? What am I going to use my bike for? How fit am I? Where will I ride? What kind of terrain will I be riding? How hilly is it? Will I need carrying capacity? Will I ride with a group? Do I want to ride off-road? Toy store, warehouse store, discount store?

The basic qualities of a good bike that will serve you well for many miles: Wheels – Aluminum rims, stainless steel spokes Frame – Strong, but light: steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon fiber Bearings – Sealed for long life and ease of maintenance Brakes – Powerful and easy to use Shifters – indexed and at your fingertips

Getting Started: Opportunity Cost Strength Weight Cost

Getting Started: Bike Types: Mountain

Getting Started: Bike Types: Road

Getting Started: Bike Types: Hybrid

= Getting Started: Bike Types: Commuter

Getting Started: Bike Types: Recumbent

Getting Started: Bike Types: Designed for women

Getting Started: Bike Fit

Getting Started: Saddle Height With the ball of the foot on the pedal, there should be a slight bend in the knee when the pedal is at the very bottom of the pedal stroke. If your hips rock when pedaling, the seat is too high.

Getting Started: Saddle Angle The saddle should be flat.

With horizontal pedals, front of knee should be directly over middle of pedal. Getting Started: Saddle fore/aft

Getting Started: Saddle Type A saddle should support your pelvic bones and be narrow enough to prevent chafing.

Getting Started: Handlebars

Getting Started: Brake Lever Position

Handlebar Stem Length and rise should be determined by riding style. Generally, longer and lower for more aggressive riders, shorter and higher for more relaxed riding.

Getting Started: Pedals

Getting Started: Cranks

Getting Started: Helmet Try on several in the store Position – Level Fit – Snug, Bend over test Straps – Y under the ear, Tight Do not use crashed helmets

Getting Started: Other Equipment Gloves Cycling Shoes Cycling Shorts, tights Cycling Jersey Rain Gear Cold Weather Gear Glasses Locks Lights Hydration System – Bottles, Camelback

Getting Started: ABC Quick Check A is for Air B is for Brakes C is for Cranks, Chain, Cassette (Drive train) Quick is for quick releases Check is for a brief, slow ride to test shifting, brakes and everything else is working properly

Getting Started: Road Tools Minimal – Tube and/or repair kit – Tire levers – Pump and/or power inflator – 4, 5 & 6mm Hex Wrench Useful – Multi tool – Chain tool – Extra spoke – Tape Safety – ID – First Aid – Change – Dollar Bill – Phone

Getting Started: Tire Repair PrestaSchrader

Teeth Cogs LOW GEAR ( move chain to extreme left ) HIGH GEAR (move chain to extreme right) Rear (cassette) Front (chainrings) Getting Started: Gearing

CHAIN Front CHAINRINGS (Teeth: ) Rear CASSETTE 5 Cogs Teeth: Getting Started: Gearing

Most Riding: Getting Started: Gearing

Uphill: Easy Pedal Low Gear Left Position Getting Started: Gearing

Downhill: Hard Pedal High Gear Right Position Getting Started: Gearing

DON”T: OR Getting Started: Gearing

General Rules Most often keep chain on MIDDLE chainring Shift only when pedalling Don’t push hard on pedals when shifting Shift rear derailleur: – Going uphill (or against wind) Left – Going downhill (speed increases) -- Right – Big uphill coming up: Shift front chainring – Left Shift before being on hill Getting Started: Gearing

LOW GEAR (move chain to extreme left) Rear (cartridge) Front 22 teeth 30 teeth Getting Started: Gearing

Bicycle Gear Ratios LOW GEAR A typical bicycle has wheels that are 26 inches in diameter. The "lowest" gear ratio on the bike might be a front chain wheel with 22 teeth and a rear gear having 30 teeth. A gear ratio of 0.73-to-1 (22/30) means that for each pedal revolution, the rear wheel turns 0.73 times Getting Started: Gearing

Bicycle Gear Ratios LOW GEAR For each pedal revolution, the bike moves about 60 in ( x 26 x.73 = 59.6 in) This is miles/rev At 60 RPM: 60 rev/min x 60 min/hr x miles/rev = 3. 4 mph (At a 60 RPM pedaling rate, the speed of the bike is 3.4 mph ) Getting Started: Gearing

HIGH GEAR (move chain to extreme right) Rear (cartridge) Front 44 teeth 11 teeth Getting Started: Gearing

The "highest" gear ratio on the bike might be a front chain wheel with 44 teeth and a rear gear having 11 teeth. A gear ratio of 4.0-to-1 (44/11) means that for each pedal revolution, the rear wheel turns 4 times For each pedal revolution, the bike moves forward about 326 inches ( x 26 in x 4= 326 in) Bicycle Gear Ratios HIGH GEAR Getting Started: Gearing

For each pedal revolution, the bike moves about 326 inches ( x 26 in x 4= 326 in) This is miles/rev At 60 RPM: 60 rev/min x 60 min/hr x miles/rev = 18.4 mph (At a 60 RPM pedaling rate, the speed of the bike is 18.4 mph ) Bicycle Gear Ratios HIGH GEAR Getting Started: Gearing

Getting Started: Brake System Inspection Check to make sure the rim and the brake pads are clean. Wipe rim clean and sand the brake pad with sandpaper. Check cables for freedom of movement. Enlist the assistance of a bicycle mechanic if you find difficulties with the cables. Inspect the levers - they must be firmly installed and there must be at least 2 cm (3/4 inch) clearance between the lever and handlebars when the brake is fully applied. If necessary, tighten, lubricate, and adjust. Make sure the brake arms move freely without resistance, and that they return to clear the wheel fully when the lever is released. If necessary, adjust, lubricate or replace.

Getting Started: Brake Pad Adjustment Centered on rim Toe in Ensure not touching tire Check operation, fine tune as necessary Can clean pad with sand paper

Getting Started: Chain Lube Oils are messy and collect dirt Paraffin or teflon lubes are cleaner Apply periodically with light coat Wipe off excess Avoid solvents NEVER USE WD-40

Getting Started: Helmet Try on several in the store Position – Level Fit – Snug, Bend over test Straps – Y under the ear, Tight Do not use crashed helmets

Getting Started: Other Equipment Gloves Cycling Shoes Cycling Shorts, tights Cycling Jersey Rain Gear Cold Weather Gear Glasses Locks Lights Hydration System – Bottles, Camelback

Getting Started: ABC Quick Check A is for Air B is for Brakes C is for Cranks, Chain, Cassette (Drive train) Quick is for quick releases Check is for a brief, slow ride to test shifting, brakes and everything else is working properly

Getting Started: Steering a Straight Line Bike wants to go in a straight line Caster Effect The Lean Effect

Getting Started: Starting Power Position Dominant foot on pedal with crank in 2 o’clock position (for right and 10 o’clock for left) Push off, push down pedal, bring ground foot Power position gives burst of speed giving more stability sooner

Getting Started: Stopping Recommended you put your right foot down first to lean away from traffic While braking, put left pedal down Downshift Shift weight to left pedal Slide off saddle Put right foot down and turn handlebars to slightly to left Dismount to right avoid traffic

Getting Started: Scanning Head Scan Body Scan Avoid wobbling Communication Make eye contact Show your face

Getting Started: Signaling

On the Road: Principles of Traffic Law First Come, First Serve Drive on the right-hand side of roadway Avoid door zone Yield to crossing traffic Yield when changing lanes Speed Positioning Intersection Positioning

Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Position Rule Ride just to the right of the motorized traffic when the lane is wide enough to safely share. When lanes are too narrow to safely share, ride in the center of the lane or just to the right of the center in the right hand tire track. If traveling at the speed of traffic, a bicyclist should use the entire lane (take the lane). If traveling faster than other traffic, overtake on the left, keeping a safe distance from slower traffic.

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Turn Lane Rule Ride in the rightmost lane that goes to your destination. In single destination lanes, ride on the right-hand side of the lane. In multiple- destination lanes, ride in the side of the lane appropriate for your destination and current traffic conditions.

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Changing Lanes Plan ahead Look behind, perhaps several times Signal intention Act carefully, smoothly and deliberately Negotiate as necessary Never move in front of another vehicle so closely as to constitute a hazard

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning Basic Maneuvers: Straight Through Right Turn Left Turn Overtaking Passing Parked Cars

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning ONE-WAY STREET Right turn from right side of lane. Left turn from left side of lane if there is little turning traffic, from center or right side of lane if left and straight traffic is heavy.

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning RIGHT-TURN ONLY LANE

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning DUAL DESTINATION RIGHT-LANE TURN

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning TWO-WAY STREETS Left turn from left side of lane. Right turn from right side of lane.

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning TWO LANE ROAD WITH NO TURN LANE

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning ROAD WITH LEFT- TURN-ONLY LANE

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning ROAD WITH CONTINUOUS LEFT TURN LANE

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning ROAD WITH CONTINUOUS LEFT TURN LANE

On the Road: Bicycling in Traffic: Lane Positioning MULTILANE ROAD WITH NO TURN LANE

On the Road: Emergency Maneuvers: Rock Dodge

On the Road: Emergency Maneuvers: Quick Stop quick stop

On the Road: Emergency Maneuvers: Instant Turn

Coping: Crash Prevention 1.Control You Bike – Don’t fall or collide with others 2.Obey the Rules – Don’t cause traffic crashes 3.Choose the Correct Position in the Lane – discourage other drivers’ mistakes 4.Learn Hazard Avoidance Skills – avoid other drivers mistakes 5.Wear a helmet – survive a crash

Coping: Crash Avoidance: Avoidance & Collision 50% of bicycle accidents are falls caused by road hazard, cyclist mistake, etc. FaultReasonPercentage BicyclistsRiding wrong way facing traffic14 MotoristLeft turn in front of cyclist13 MotoristRight turn in of cyclist11 BicyclistLeft turn from right side of road11 BicyclistsFailure to yield from driveway9 BicyclistRunning stop sign or signal8 MotoristRunning stop sign or signal8 MotoristOpen car door in front of cyclist7 MotoristFailure to yield from driveway6 All Others8

Coping: More stats Most car/bike collisions involving child cyclists are caused by the child. Most car/bike collisions involving adult cyclists are caused by the motorist. The more cyclists there are, the lower the per capita casualty rates

Coping: Motorist Errors at Intersections Motorist Left Turn Without Yielding to Straight-through Cyclist Prevention: – Be visible wear bright-colored clothing, establish eye contact, use lights at night – Be predictable maintain proper lane position, ride a straight line – Be assertive plan to take your appropriate right-of-way, and act accordingly – Be alert assess the situation and be prepared to take evasive action Avoidance: – Quick Stop – Instant Turn

Coping: Motorist Errors at Intersections Motorist Right Turn, Cutting in Front of Straight-through Cyclist Prevention: – Be visible wear bright-colored clothing, establish eye contact, don’t ride in motorist’s blind spot; – Be predictable maintain proper lane position, ride a straight line, do not pass motorist on right; – Be assertive take your appropriate right-of-way, and act accordingly – Be alert assess the situation, look for a turn signal or watch the front wheel of the car, be prepared to take evasive action. Avoidance: – Quick Stop – Instant Turn

Coping: Motorist Errors at Intersections Motorist Pulling out into Traffic from Cross Street Without Yielding to Straight-Through Cyclist Prevention: – Be visible establish eye contact or use sound to make the motorist aware of you; – Be predictable maintain position well away from the road's edge so you are visible and positioned where motorists expect to see traffic, and so you are not blocked from view by any parked cars, ride a straight line; – Be assertive plan to take your appropriate right-of-way, and act accordingly; – Be alert assess the situation, and be prepared to take evasive action. Avoidance: – Quick Stop – Instant Turn

Coping: Road Hazards Dogs Kids Wind Blasts Railroad Tracks and Surface Defects Storm Grates Steel Plates and Uneven Road Surfaces

Coping: Crash/Injury Prevention Wear helmet - %85 of bicycle fatalities are brain injuries Keep brakes in good working order Wear highly visible clothing Anticipate road and traffic hazards Practice your skills!

Coping: Riding Enjoyment Shift smoothly – match conditions, anticipate change in conditions How to shift – take pressure off pedals while shifting Cadence – revolutions per minute (75 -95) Pace – 10 to 20 mph for several hours while touring

Coping: Nutrition Basics Eat before you are hungry and drink before you are thirsty Carbs – Simple – Sugars from fruits and vegetables – provide instant energy – Complex – starches – provide sustained energy – Carb rich meal night before a big ride and bagel, etc. morning of Fats – avoid Proteins – Dried fruits, nuts, commercial products

Coping: Hydration Drink before you are thirsty Plan to drink 1 20oz bottle per hour or 12 to 14 miles. More be required on hot day Dehydration can make you feel sick and/or lightheaded Should stop riding and rehydrate if feeling symptoms Sports drinks can help with water replacement and nutrients

Coping: Trail Etiquette Be Courteous (yeild to other users) Give audible and hand signals when passing Yield when entering or crossing other trails Keep right Pass on the left Be predictable Use lights at night Do not block trail Do not litter

Coping: Group Riding Use Signals Give Warnings – Change in direction or speed Announce overtaking – “On your left/right” Announce Hazards to group Watch for traffic overtaking from the rear Watch out at intersections Leave gap for cars – when riding slow, like going uphill, leave space for cars every three or four riders Move off the road when stopped Single file/two abreast Grouping at intersections

Coping: Educating Motorists Did you know? 98 million people in the United States own bicycles? About 750 bicyclists are killed each year in the U.S.? 96% of bicyclists’ deaths result from crashes with motor vehicles? In all 50 states, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles?

Coping: EducatingMotorists Learn How To Safely Share The Road With Bicyclists Leave at least three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist. Be aware that when a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride safely side by side, bicyclists should take the travel lane, which means riding in or near the center of the lane. Reduce your speed when passing a cyclist, especially if the roadway is narrow. When turning left at an intersection, yield to an oncoming bicyclist just as you would yield to oncoming motorists. After passing a cyclist on your right, check over your shoulder to make sure you have allowed adequate distance before merging back in. Don’t blast your horn when approaching bicyclists. In inclement weather, give cyclists extra trailing and passing room, just as you would other motorists. Learn to recognize situations and obstacles that may be hazardous to cyclists, such as potholes, debris, and glass, and then give them adequate space to maneuver. Look for bicyclists before opening your car door. Children on bicycles often act unpredictably. Expect the unexpected.

What To Watch For Unfortunately, not everyone who rides a bike understands or obeys the rules of the road. Some of the common cyclist errors you may encounter as a motorist are: Wrong-way riding. Cyclists riding on the left (wrong) side of the road, facing traffic cause 14% of all car/bike crashes. Look both ways before turning. Mid-block ride-outs. This is the most frequent crash type for young riders and occurs when the bicyclist enters the roadway from a driveway, alley, or curb without slowing, stopping, or looking for traffic. Cyclist’s failure to yield to crossing traffic (25% of car/bike collisions). Cyclist’s failure to yield when changing lanes (13% of car/bike collisions). Coping: Education Motorists