As I was waiting in line at REI to pick up my Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic ride packet, Cascade Bicycle Club exec director Chuck Ayers explained to us how the club is issuing “traffic tickets” to cyclists who don't follow the rules of the road.
This is the first time the club has tried this approach. Ayers said one of the biggest complaints from motorists, staff and other cyclists during STP has been about participants who don't follow the rules of the road on the 200-mile, one- or two-day bike tour that rolls out Saturday.
So this year, the club's Ride Refs and Goldwing Motorcycle Safety Patrol will be on the lookout for dangerous cycling behavior and issue tickets.
Those tickets don't carry the force of law, of course. They do imply, however, that your peers on the bike ride think you're riding like a jerk and you need to pay attention.
$25 fine
The tickets carry a $25 fine, payable to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.
Always wanting to stay out of trouble, I checked the STP website to find what “Rules of the Road” I need to follow. Here's their list, which also is in the Route Map in the rider's packet:
- Running through a stop sign or red light without stopping (riders do not necessarily have to unclip, but they must come to an obvious momentary stop)
- Passing other bicyclists on the right in a dangerous manner
- Riding more than two abreast
- Crossing a solid centerline
- Public urination or littering
- Not wearing a helmet
Single file
Another safety message that Cascade has been promoting this year is “Single File is Safer.” The club maintains that it's easier for drivers to pass a single file line than cyclists riding two or more abreast. From the website:
“While it might take drivers longer to pass a long line of single-file cyclists, it is more difficult to pass cyclists riding two or more abreast. …
“Riding two abreast, when conditions permit, is fine. However, riding two abreast while going uphill means that other faster riders must ride as “third abreast” in order to pass slower riders. On narrower roads, passing as the “third abreast” means crossing the centerline, a clear danger to the rider. It also makes for hazardous conditions as car drivers go to pass bicyclists, pull out of driveways, or are oncoming. Single file is safer in many situations on group rides.”
Safe riding
The Ride Refs — another new Cascade program for major bike rides — will be out to remind STP cyclists about these other safe riding policies:
- Single File is Safer
- Using voice and hand signals/calling out when passing
- Move off the road when stopping
- Ride right/Pass left
- Do not pass too close/ride too close to another rider
- No headphones/earphones
- Do not hold up more than 5 vehicles
That's a lot of rules to remember. It's easier just to remember everything you've ever learned about safe bicycling and apply it over the next couple of days.
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