Wisconsin Women Cycling

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Wisconsin Women Cycling

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  • The Biz
    • About WWC
    • Shop
    • Covid-19
  • The Events
    • WI Women Century
    • Holy Hill Hundo
    • Tour de Belle Vin
    • Rotary Ride - promotion
    • Group Ride Etiquette Tips
    • Registration Policy
  • The Club
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    • Club Rides
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    • Club's Weekend Up North
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Group Ride Etiquette

For rides presented by Wisconsin Women Cycling  

     Remember, we organize rides so this is not a race! 

RIDE RULES

The safety of our participants, volunteers, and the communities we ride through is our highest concern when we organize these rides. Please be respectful to each other so all can enjoy the experience. 

   • Follow the Wisconsin Rules of the Road.  

        o According to Wisconsin State Law, bicycles are vehicles so you must follow all traffic rules and signs. 

   • We use paved public roads o The roadways are not closed. We will be sharing them with other road users; pedestrians, motorcycles, motor vehicles, etc. 

        o Click on this WI DOT Rules for riding bicycles on the Road for the outline and even some diagrams on how to handle certain situations. 

   • We use the Ozaukee County Interurban Trail, a paved multi-use trail 

        o Stay on the trail. 

        o It is not closed. We will be sharing it with other users; individuals and groups of pedestrians, dog walkers, skateboarders, joggers, and other cyclists. o Bicyclist must yield to pedestrians 

        o Click on this WI DOT Guide for Street / Path Crossings for an outline and diagram of WI crosswalk types and some rules. 

GROUP RIDE ETIQUETTE

Do Not Yell Out “CLEAR” 

   • Unless you are the parent/guardian… and then only the children under your care should obey you. 

   • Bicyclists are required to stop at all stop signs and red lights unless guided by an “official event crossing guard”.  

   • Cross intersections when you feel it’s safe to cross.  

        o Everyone’s ability and comfort level is different. 

        o It’s okay to walk your bike across an intersection if it makes you feel more confident.  


Respect private property 

   • Stay on the roads and use the designated rest stops. 

   • Do not litter. Keep gel and food packaging with you until you can dispose of them properly.

    • Never use people’s yards as a restroom.


Violations of law will not be tolerated 

   • These include acts of trespassing, public urination, disorderly conduct, etc.  

   • These types of actions could lead to being banned from participating in future events and/or prosecution. 

Group Riding Tips

Much of the following is based on The Share & Be Aware Campaign – a partnership between The Wisconsin Bike Federation and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Zero In Wisconsin Campaign. Visit The WI Bike Fed’s website for details. Other information is provided by CyclingSavvy.

Basic Rules

When out on a group ride, it is crucial that you take the utmost care to ensure the safety of pedestrians, fellow riders, motorists, and yourself.  


By following the basic rules, group rides can be safe and enjoyable experiences. Because group rides are so visible to motorists, they are opportunities to either be billboards for exemplary behavior or these rides can reinforce the stereotypes that cyclists break the law.  

BE PREDICITABLE

Follow all traffic laws .

Hold your line. Ride in a predictable manner at a close, but a safe distance from the rider in front or next to you. 

  • No weaving. 
  • Maintain an even pace.  
  • Don’t brake suddenly (at least try to announce “braking” so others know you’re doing so). 
  • Ride bar to bar. When riding two by two, work to keep handlebars in the same line. 

PARENTS, GUARDIANS and CASUAL RIDERS

Children see things from a very different viewpoint than adults do, literally. 

  • Get down to their level and take in what they see … and take special notice of what they can’t see; the stop sign that’s a foot above their head, the oncoming traffic from the right on the road they want to turn out onto is blocked by the trunk of a car, etc.
  • Help them take notice of what you see, like the sign, why it's important, and why they don’t notice it right away.
  • Great for kids (and adults alike), here are some videos by the Wisconsin Bike Federation on how to ride safely. 

DON’T IMPEDE TRAFFIC

  

Under state law, bicyclists can ride two abreast unless traffic is impeded.

  • Practice the Control & Release For Safe Passing (below)
  • On higher-volume two-lane roads with little or no shoulder, you should ride single file in one paceline. 
  • To avoid edge hazards, ride at least 3-feet from the edge of the right-most travel lane’s shoulder or rumble bars.
  • On higher-volume multi-lane roads, those with wide and safe shoulders, and on low-volume town roads, you can ride two abreast.
  • Larger groups make it difficult for motorists to find safe passing locations. Keep groups to around 20 riders or fewer. If you find your group exceeds 20 riders, break up into multiple groups. 

YOUR SAFETY FIRST

As stated above, being predictable is probably the most important act of keeping you and your group of riders safe.

Controlling the lane 

  • Control & Release For Safe Passing – Climbing a hill or rounding a blind corner? Here's a CyclingSavvy article with embedded video for more insight on how to keep yourself safe. 
  • Roundabouts (aka Rotary) – you want to be seen. Follow the left wheel mark motor vehicles have left as you enter and exit. Here’s a short video on how to enter and exit a roundabout. 
  • Left-Hand Turns – as you approach the left turn with your group, the last person in the group checks for traffic. Once safe, enter the lane and yell out “Left Clear” to the person in front of him/her. This is repeated up the line to the first rider in your group. 

COMMUNICATE

Point out road hazards with your fingers to alert the riders behind you. 

Use hand signals to indicate  

  • Turns – left arm signals, keeping your right hand near your rear brake lever in case you need it. 
  • Hazards – pointing with your finger, but only if it’s safe. 
  • Stopping – left arm down with palm to the rear and fingers together.
  • Slowing – left arm down with palm to the rear and fingers spread,


Use announcements with your hand signals for turns, stopping, and slowing. These verbal warnings given in advance of intersections or hazards give the other riders a chance to ready themselves. 


If you’re losing riders from your group off the back, let those in front know to adjust their pace. 

WATCH OUT AT INTERSECTIONS

Cyclists should not follow others through intersections without first scanning and following tall traffic signs and signals. 

It is the responsibility of all riders to determine if the intersection is clear. 

  • Be aware that most crashes with motor vehicles occur at intersections.
  • Treat stop signs as stop signs. 

BEING A STRONG LEADER

Leaders are not only in the front of a group, but they watch your back too.


We recommend regrouping after crossing an intersection, 

  • Stop about 40-50 feet after the intersection, preferably in a driveway or field entrance. 
  • If everyone knows this is the practice, those caught up in traffic will know you’ll be waiting and will not be rushed to cross the busy intersection.
  • Stopping 40+ feet away from the intersection allows motor vehicles to make a right turn toward the stopped cyclist(s) without infringing on them.


Hill Climbing – as you get to the last 30 feet of climbing, check it’s safe then move to the center of your lane. Hold out your “stop” hand signal, if you must, to keep motor vehicles at bay.

  • This will signal motorized traffic from attempting to pass you. 
  • Once you’ve cleared the hill, move back to the right-most edge.
  • When the vehicle passes, give them a friendly wave and smile.
  • Similar to the Control & Release For Safe Passing (above).

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Wisconsin Women Cycling

656 Hillside Lane, Cedarburg, Wisconsin 53012, United States

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