TCBC RIDE SAFETY RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS


TCBC strives to maintain its historical good safety record.  In that effort, all members are asked to ride responsibly and adhere to the following rules and recommendations.



Rules:

Riding:

  1. Bicycle riders, like drivers of motor vehicles, must obey all traffic laws.
  2. All riders are required to properly wear an approved helmet while riding on any TCBC ride.
  3. Electric Bicycles (ebikes, e-bikes). In accordance with TCBC’s League of American Bicyclists (LAB) insurance policy, only Class I (power assist to 20 MPH) and Class III (power assist to 28 MPH) e-bikes are covered for general liability and participant accident coverage on officially scheduled TCBC rides. Class II (throttle controlled) e-bikes are not covered by our insurance policy.
  4. Personal listening devices (MP3 players, I-Pods, earbuds, headphones, etc.) are not allowed on TCBC rides.
  5. Any use of a cell phone, including but not limited to making phone calls or texting, which in any way reduces your ability to ride safely, is prohibited.
  6. On night rides every bicycle must be equipped with a proper operating headlight and taillight.
  7. Small children who are not riding a bike must wear an approved helmet and be in a child seat affixed to the bike, on a tag-a-long or in an attached bike trailer.

Procedural:

  1. TCBC members must sign the Ride Report at the beginning of each ride in order to be covered by the Club’s medical and liability insurance and to be counted as a participant in that ride.
  2. TCBC members must sign a waiver each year upon the renewal of his or her membership.
  3. Non-members are covered by the Club’s insurance only on their first ride.
  4. Non-members must sign a waiver before participating in a TCBC ride.
  5. Minors (under the age of 18) on a TCBC ride must be accompanied by a responsible adult and submit a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to the ride leader.

Recommendations (Before Riding):
  1. Make sure that your bike is in good and safe working condition.
  2. Each rider should carry an extra tube, patch kit, tire levers, bike tool and a pump.
  3. Know which brake handle is for your rear brake (normally the right) and use it as your primary brake or in conjunction with the front brake. Do not apply only your front brake.
  4. All riders should wear visible clothing, and protective glasses are recommended.
  5. Riders should have a rear view mirror on glasses or helmet or attached to the bike.
  6. Hydration is necessary, and each rider should carry water and/or a sports drink and drink often during the ride.
  7. Each rider should also carry some quick energy food.

Recommendations (While Riding):
  1. Riders should be helpful to and responsible for each other.
  2. Do not ride beyond your ability and ride in a predictable manner.
  3. Riders should ride no more than two abreast, and should ride single file when there is heavy traffic on roads, streets or trails.
  4. Ride as far to the right as is safe and practical. Take the full lane if that is the only safe way to proceed and move to the right as soon as it is safe to do so
  5. Use hand signals and communicate verbally for turning, slowing, and stopping. Point out and verbalize road hazards or other road conditions such as: “pothole”, “stick”, “glass”, “bike up”, “car up”, “car back”, “on your left”, etc.
  6. Do not ride too close to the bike ahead or to the bike next to you.
  7. When you are going straight through an intersection, without a right turn lane, make sure that you are aware of right turning motor vehicles next to you or behind you.
  8. When going through an intersection without a stop light, do not give voice signals such as “clear” or “ok”. Each rider must make a determination that it is safe to proceed through the intersection based upon his or her understanding of the conditions.
  9. Do not block right turn lanes when the group is going straight.
  10. When a group of riders comes to a four way stop, the whole group should stop.  If there is no traffic, the whole group may then proceed through the intersection. If there is stopped traffic, no more than 4-6 riders should go through the stop together in order to alternate with stopped motor vehicles.
  11. At trail crossings make sure all moving vehicle traffic has cleared the crossing and then cross when safe to do so.
  12. No rider should attempt to stop, block or direct motor vehicle traffic in order to allow all riders in a group to make a road or trail crossing.
  13. Do not confront motorists.
  14. On night rides riders should wear reflective clothing (vests or jackets) and/or reflective or lighted arm bands or ankle bands and should carry extra batteries for the front and rear lights.

 

Mountain Bike Rides:
  1. Mountain bike riding is inherently different than road riding. Experienced TCBC road riders new to mountain biking should select TCBC Mountain Bike rides that are at least one ride classification lower than they normally ride “on road rides”.
  2. Mountain Bike rides will abide by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) “Rules of the Trail”:
    -Ride only on open trails.
    -Leave no trace.
    -Control your bicycle.
    -Always yield trail.
    -Never spook animals.
    -Plan ahead.
  3. Mountain bike rides should be cancelled in wet conditions to prevent trail damage and erosion.
  4. Mountain bike rest stop, check point locations, and the approximate time for each are to be agreed upon before the start of the ride.
  5. On MB-B and MB-C rides, if someone is missing from the group, the leader or designee should go back and find them.