Club Safety Speech

This is the basic safety speech we give before each ride.

You are in charge of your own safety. Don’t blindly follow the person in front of you, particularly if they are turning. If your group is turning into traffic, look behind you for cars. If the group is going through a green light and you can’t make it before the light turns red, STOP. The group will wait for you.
Follow the rules of the road. Stay to the right. Obey all traffic signals. Because of the new Colorado Safety Stop law, we are no longer required to come to a full stop at stop signs but must yield to other vehicles and pedestrians who have the right of way before proceeding through the intersection at up to 10 miles per hour. At red traffic lights, we must still come to a complete stop; after stopping, we may cautiously proceed in the same direction through the intersection or make a right-hand turn without waiting for a green light. Riders must wait for a green light for left-hand turns.
Ride single file. You may ONLY ride two abreast if the shoulder or bike lane is wide enough to safely accommodate two and the person you are next to is comfortable with this. Never ride more than two abreast. If you want to pass, pass on the left and announce that you are passing.
Use hand signals and vocalize. Signal when you will turn, stop, slow, and for debris. If you can’t take your hands off the handlebars, just call out. (Note: it’s helpful to demonstrate hand signals at this point.)
Ride predictably. Don’t brake or turn suddenly as you may cause an accident behind you.
Shift! Downshift before hills and before stopping; upshift if the pedaling is too easy.
Don’t antagonize motorists. If you make a motorist angry, they may not take it out on you, they might take it out on another cyclist.
Eat before you are hungry; drink before you are thirsty.
Have a spare tube and carry tools for fixing a flat. Those who are more familiar with fixing flats can help you, but we do expect all riders to know how to change their own flat tire after the first Fix-a-Flat clinic.
Never ride partially next to another cyclist. Either be completely next to them or behind them. If you’re only overlapping with their rear wheel, they may not see you and may turn into you.
Always move clear off the road and shoulder to allow other cyclists to pass by when stopping for mechanicals or regrouping.
Have fun!!