Cycling Etiquette By David Kriegshauser About Me Cycling
Cycling Etiquette By David Kriegshauser
About Me • Cycling for 22 years • New Mexico state champion • Fort Lewis College racing team • Middle School teacher • Youth cycling program administrator • Cycling business – Seek Out Cycling
Public Opinion • • • Cars dominate Teller County roads Drivers assume all bikers are alike Affect public opinion – exude joy on bike Show drivers you are friend, not foe Admit when you are wrong Take opportunities to help
Road biking • Bikes used public roads before cars existed • Law requires cars to – Give 3 feet when passing – Pass only when it’s safe • Often, cars give 3 feet, but pass dangerously • COMMUNICATE – Show “don’t pass” or “safe to pass” signals – Smile and wave
Mountain biking • Land access is a huge issue • Hikers and horses have the right of way • Hikers and horseback riders write the laws
Hikers • Announce your presence far in advance – Good Morning – Hello – Coming up – Passing on your left • Hikers almost always step aside – Say “Thank You” with a smile! – Say “Sorry” if you surprise someone
Horseback riders (equestrians) • • • Horses are prey animals Announce your presence far in advance Dismount bike and put it behind your body Downhill side of trail Talk in calm voice Don’t be a horse’s ass
Environmental Impact Mountain bikes are low impact Avoid skidding Stay on trail Leave it cleaner than you found it • Volunteer for trail maintenance • •
Mountain Bikers • Uphill has the right of way • Motorized vehicles yield to everyone else on a multiuse trail • Exude joy!
Unplug • Trend: more and more trail users are plugged into music (all ages) • Unaware of other trail users • Failure to communicate
Summary • Know the code • Friend, not foe • Communicate • Community
- Slides: 11