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