Cycling is a great way to have fun and also a great way to keep your body in good shape. However, this activity has its dangers, especially if you drive on highway. To be on the safe side, it's important to keep your bike in good condition. best condition and stick to some very important rules bicycle control while riding in the general flow of vehicles. This article is for driving on right hand roads; if you live in countries with left-hand traffic, please consider this fact when you read the article.
Steps
Part 1
Checking the condition of your bikePart 2
Suitable clothingPart 3
Rules traffic and "sense of the road"Follow the rules of the road and choose the safest driving style. Although technically another participant in the movement may also be at fault, as a result, only you will be injured or even killed. Follow these basic rules for your safety:
Know the rules of the road and trust your feelings. It is the responsibility of every cyclist to know the rules of the road that apply to you as a cyclist and those that other road users follow. Duties also include teaching children the rules they need to know (see below). It's also important to use common sense when moving with the flow - rely on all your senses to help you stay safe. Anticipate unexpected situations to avoid surprises.
Move in the direction of the flow. Moving against the flow is illegal and increases the danger for the cyclist, as the harm from oncoming speeds increases, and the motorist will not even be able to keep track of the cyclist moving towards him.
Before changing lanes to the right or left, first turn around to make sure the road is clear, then back off. prearranged signal about what you are going to do. Learn to turn your head back so that it does not cause you to lose control of the bike. You can practice turning your head back as you drive along the line in an empty parking space. You will need this skill every time you turn left or right, such as when you need to drive around a truck parked on the side of the road or other obstacles. Just because you are forced to change lanes does not mean that you do not need to give way. If there is traffic in the adjacent lane, you must first give way to them or drive on the right side of the lane (see below). It is essential to learn how to turn around on the go, which is why many cyclists, even experienced cyclists, don't realize how much they are wiggling when they look back. It is useless to look back to make sure the path is clear if you veer to the right or left.
Let other road users know about your intentions. This applies to turns or changes in position on the road. Keep your arm straight parallel to the ground with your open palm facing down - this gesture is more understandable than a bent at the elbow, slightly raised arm. Before removing your hand from the handlebars, make sure that there are no obstacles in front of you: stones, holes or other obstructions that could get into a bicycle wheel. Show what your next move will be - not only will you make your actions obvious to other road users, but you will also establish yourself as a polite person.
Stop at traffic stop signs and follow the flow.
Follow road signs.
Do not listen to music while cycling. Music prevents your ears from hearing approaching cars, and some songs may encourage you to take risks on the road!
Take the most viewed right lane. Most motorists may not notice cyclists, especially those who are moving unnoticed at the curb. Some motorists are unhappy with the presence of cyclists on the road and try to create an additional obstacle so that they do not ride next to the car. Do not be angry; if they honk, it means they have spotted you! Thank the motorist with a smile, a nod, or a wave of your hand. Stay calm, stay alert and focused. A mirror can help you identify when a vehicle is approaching you. A well-timed look back, a nod, or a hand signal to stop can be very helpful in interacting with motorists you may not even have noticed, although you have some influence on them - only this can root out a potential dangerous situation on the road.
Keep a distance of one and a half meters from cars parked on the side of the road to avoid possible collision with the opening door and deviate from the set route towards passing cars. Remember that even at a speed of 15 km/h you travel a distance equal to the length of one car in one second. If a car door suddenly opens in front of you, you probably won’t have enough time to react, much less slow down. And if you instinctively veer to the left or are thrown back by the impact of the door, you can be hit by a car moving in the same direction. Of course, by law, they must first look around before opening the door, but are you willing to risk your safety (and possibly your life) assuming that everyone is doing it? If you are constantly moving in this zone, when you get knocked down by a door, it is only a matter of time. Since the length open door car or truck reaches one meter, stay one and a half meters from the vehicle, which will keep your body half a meter wide at a safe distance. If you drive closer than one and a half meters to vehicles, you are at serious risk. Don't make the mistake of using the dedicated bike lane if it intersects with the door area. Pavement markings will not protect you!
Don't try to drive in the same lane as cars that are too wide. Driving on the extreme right lane less than 4 meters wide can cause a conflict situation on the road. The cyclist may not be visible to other road users, and the motorist will be forced to press the cyclist, either approaching too dangerous a distance, or realizing too late that changing lanes into the adjacent lane, the car may interfere with the cyclist. Let them know in advance that you can’t drive in this lane next to the car - move to the middle of the lane or even to the left of the center, so the rest can think in advance how and when they can overtake you and move to the next lane.
Give way wisely. In between intersections, when traffic is faster, if the lane is wide enough to allow vehicles to pass without endangering yourself, move to the side and allow drivers to pass freely, leaving enough room for you on the road. However, for long intervals, the lane position is the most reasonable position - this will attract the attention of the car following you, and he will not lose his vigilance until he overtakes you with caution. The rearview mirror will help you recognize when a vehicle is rapidly approaching you, it will let you know when to move to the side - in most cases this should be done after the car slows down, thus showing that you have been seen, but before how to piss off a motorist. Never use your rear view mirror where you need to turn around to assess the traffic situation.
Keep in mind that there are more dangers in front of you than behind you, especially with turning cars and vehicles coming across you. When approaching intersections, railroad crossings or curves, regardless of the direction of travel, take a position in the lane that will allow you to save enough space around you. Experienced cyclists take a safe and predictable position in the lane 30-60 m before the intersection, if they have not already done so earlier.
Watch out for vehicles in the right lane that are about to turn right. Turning motorists often look around only when they expect to see cars on the right, sometimes completely forgetting the pedestrians and cyclists who could be anywhere. But sometimes they overlook even those cyclists who move correctly on the road (as well as motorcyclists or even other cars) - that's why it's important to give yourself enough room to maneuver. Make sure you're noticed - eye contact doesn't count (some may glance at you but still can't "see" you) - until you're absolutely sure you've been noticed. Pay attention to where they are looking, where their wheels are turned, if they are driving or standing, etc. It's only a matter of time before you get overlooked and cut off... so be prepared and don't be surprised when that happens!
When driving on the road, sometimes it is required not only to look back and signal your intentions, but often to “interact”. Remember that declaring your intention to move in any direction does not automatically give you the right to maneuver. Vehicles that are already moving in this lane must first give way to you. Therefore, you should make it clear what your intentions are and look back, waiting to be let through before moving on. If you need to change lanes at once, you should look back, show your intentions and interact with other traffic participants in each individual lane, as if you were riding a motorcycle.
If you need to turn left, you should use the left lane for this. Prepare for the turn well in advance so that you have enough time and space to cross one lane at a time, respecting necessary rules interactions on the road. If you don't think you're going to make it, it's best to pull over, get off your bike and cross the road using the crosswalk, following the rules for pedestrians.
If you must drive straight, do not drive in the right lane or on a road normally used by right-turning vehicles. Other road users are unlikely to expect someone to go straight. Move to the left before the intersection unless you are sure that the cars in the far right lane are going straight ahead.
Do not pass slow or stopped traffic on the right that can and has the right to turn right. Instead, move to the left (or even hard to the left) and stick behind them to overtake them on the left side. Beware of cars passing you and then slowing down so that you catch up with them and start overtaking ... on the right. Most likely they are stopping to turn right... so you need to turn around and move to the left to overtake you on the left. "Don't cut!" If you are overtaking stopped cars on the right, beware that the passenger doors may suddenly open - especially if it is a taxi. Driving on the left more than a meter away is usually the safest and fastest option.
Observe the speed limit. It is very important for you as a cyclist to avoid speeding and to follow the speed limit in areas that involve slow traffic (such as near pedestrian crossings and schools).
Know when to ride on the road, when on the side of the road, and when on the bike path. Beware of glass, rocks and other debris that often accumulates on the side of the road and the bike path because they are not cleared as often as regular roads. Keep in mind that you take on additional risk when riding on the shoulder or bike path because the bike becomes less visible (less visible to both drivers in front and behind). When riding on the right, keep in mind that you are getting closer to possible hazards ahead and reduce the necessary safety zone between the bike and possible obstacles at the edge of the road. In short, when deciding where you will be driving, imagine where you would be driving if there were no lanes, and drive that way. Remember that the lanes are fixed in a certain place, and the best position on the road for you depends on the specific traffic situation and road conditions, so do not blindly trust the markings of the bike path.
Do not ride on a bike path that intersects with the door area of parked cars. Please note that bike lanes are usually 1.2 - 1.5 m wide, so even if a relatively wide 1.5 meter bike path is located next to parked cars, you should not ride on this path. Your maximum for moving near parked vehicles is the left lane of the bike path - no closer.
The law rarely requires the use of a bike lane off the main road, but it may be preferable, especially for relatively slow pleasure riding. Whenever you approach an intersection or roadway, you need to be extremely careful when driving in that lane, even more so than in a bike lane on the road, as drivers rarely pay attention to traffic outside the roadway.
Don't ride on the sidewalk. In general, it is not a good idea to drive on the sidewalk, and in many places it is completely illegal. One exception is when the sidewalk has bike lane markings, but be careful you still have to share the sidewalk with pedestrians as well as other cyclists moving towards you. In general, on many roads you will find it easier, faster and more comfortable to move than on the side of the road with its bumps and obstacles.
Take great care in wet weather conditions. Especially if the first rain has passed some time later: oil and grease rise from the tarmac to the road surface. Therefore, do not press against the edge of the sidewalk and do not drive on the markings and sewer covers. Exercise extreme caution when moving on the icy surface, and better, if possible, postpone your trip until after noon or refuse it altogether.
Cross the railway/rail tracks at the correct angle. Otherwise, your wheels will get stuck in the tracks or skid on the rails in rainy weather.
Always carry proof of identity with you, such as your passport (or a copy of your passport) or health insurance. It will be needed to identify you by medical personnel in case you become unconscious.
Part 4
Be visibleFollow these guidelines to get noticed:
Use suitable lighting. Motorcycles should always have their headlights on because they are smaller than other vehicles and difficult to see in the general traffic. The bike is even smaller. Riding at night usually requires a front flashlight at the very least, although reflective pieces on various parts of the bike, along with the reflective clothing we talked about earlier, will add to the visibility on the road. Lighting is necessary both during the day and at night:
- During the day, a flashing light from the front is essential to draw more attention to you.
- At night, instead of a flashing headlight, constant front lighting should be used. This constant light output will provide sufficient visibility, while the flashing light will be annoying as you may experience the stroboscopic effect.
- When it gets dark, use a headlight. Put it on at the moment when your eyes have to strain too much to see the road, even if the sky has not yet darkened; remember that drivers also need to see you at dusk, so it's better to play it safe and turn on the lights sooner rather than later.
- Place a red LED strobe or beacon on the back of your bike or helmet. It's normal for the rear light to flash or have a special shape because it's less eye-sharp than the front light, and because motorists don't just take your back light into account when calculating distance.
Take a clearly visible position on the road. It would seem that there is not much difference - whether you move a couple of tens of centimeters in one direction or in the other, since in any case you should fall into the field of view of the drivers. But this misconception disappears the moment you take into account not the driver's field of view, but the "zone of attention." Being in their field of view is sometimes not enough to be noticed - you need to be exactly in the place where they will definitely notice you - be where their main attention is. While "rider position" in the lane does not guarantee that you will be seen, it is much less likely that you will go unnoticed, in addition, you will take an advantageous position on the road and maintain a safe zone away from various kind of obstacles. Also, if you have a rear-view mirror, you will be able to determine "when" you were noticed, since a motorist will obviously slow down when he sees a cyclist ahead in his "lane". If you're standing on the side of the road, they're unlikely to slow down even if they see you, so you won't be able to tell who saw you and who didn't. You can always pull out of the way temporarily to let the fast traffic pass, as it's best to be seen in the lane and not on the side of the road.
When passing behind parallel parked cars, keep the necessary distance between you and the door area. Collision with a door can cause serious injury or even death.
- Motorways can be a serious hazard for cyclists, especially if they are not on the side of the road. In addition, in some places it may be completely prohibited.
- Do not move side by side until you reach top speed. If you don't have a speedometer, guess how fast you might be, but of course less is better than more.
- Look out for dogs. Some dogs don't like cyclists and may see you as a threat.
- Most accidents happen at intersections. In heavy traffic, it is better to stop and roll the bike across the road, even if there is a traffic light. You never know if a driver will want to run a red light or take off so fast they won't even notice you.
- Some roads are not designed for safe cycling at all. For example, the Lopez Mateos highway in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico is a very dangerous place, with buses and overloaded trucks that travel 100 km/h and cars that travel at 120 km/h. Be careful on such roads, avoid them if possible, and if you are forced to travel on such roads, then it is better to move along the side of the road, but give way to pedestrians. On many freeways and highways, cycling is completely prohibited.
- Be aware that the sound of cars in front of you overlaps the sound of approaching cars behind you.
- If you find it uncomfortable to drive on the right because of vehicles behind you, pull over to the side of the road and drive there, but always give way to pedestrians. Never drive against traffic, so you can avoid a head-on collision.
- If you are riding on a bike path or on the side of the road, compare your speed to the speed of other road users in your path. As soon as you realize that you are moving faster than 16 km / h or suddenly find yourself on the side of the road with a large concentration of pedestrians, it may be better to move to a quieter and wider part of the street.
- It will be extremely useful to know how to drive a car. In this way, you can avoid situations where the driver is forced to make emergency maneuvers to avoid colliding with you.
- Know the rules when you travel. Most cities in Europe have bike lanes on the right side of the street. The traffic lane adjacent to the carriageway is reserved for cyclists; next lane for pedestrians. Drivers expect you to drive strictly in a dedicated lane and do not plan to enter the road.
Rules of the road for cyclists in 2017
Over time, more and more often you can see cyclists on the streets of the city, no, not athletes, but amateurs. Of course, the SDA also has articles for them. After all, regular road users are actively in contact with bike owners.
In this article, you will learn in detail all the requirements set for cyclists in 2017.
Basic terms;
General traffic rules for cyclists;
Which maximum speed cyclist?;
Location of cyclists on the road;
Privileges for cyclists;
Will they deprive driving license if caught drunk on a bike?;
Penalties for cyclists.
Basic terms
Dear reader, we will start with the simplest. What is a Bicycle?
"Bicycle" means a vehicle, other than a wheelchair, which has at least two wheels and is generally propelled by the muscular energy of the persons on the vehicle, in particular by means of pedals or handles.
We learned that a bicycle is a vehicle. All requirements of the Rules relating to vehicles apply equally to bicycles.
Cyclists and pedestrians
"Bicycle path" - a road element (or a separate road) structurally separated from the carriageway and sidewalk, intended for the movement of cyclists and marked with the sign 4.4.1.
Bicycle lane
"Pedestrian and bicycle path (bicycle path)" - a road element (or a separate road) structurally separated from the carriageway, intended for separate or joint movement of cyclists with pedestrians and marked with signs 4.5.2 - 4.5.7.
Bicycle path
"Lane for cyclists" - a lane of the carriageway intended for the movement of bicycles and mopeds, separated from the rest of the carriageway by horizontal markings and marked with the sign 5.14.2.
traffic lights
6.5. If the traffic light signal is made in the form of a silhouette of a pedestrian (bicycle), then its effect applies only to pedestrians (cyclists). At the same time, the green signal allows, and the red one prohibits the movement of pedestrians (cyclists).
To regulate the movement of cyclists, a traffic light with round signals of reduced size can also be used, supplemented by a white rectangular plate measuring 200 x 200 mm with the image of a black bicycle.
Maneuvering signals
8.1. Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning (turning) and stopping, the driver is obliged to give signals with light indicators for the direction of the corresponding direction, and if they are absent or faulty, by hand. When performing a maneuver, there should not be a danger to traffic, as well as obstacles to other road users.
8.2. Signaling by direction indicators or by hand should be carried out in advance of the start of the maneuver and stop immediately after its completion (hand signaling can be completed immediately before the maneuver is performed). At the same time, the signal should not mislead other road users.
Light fixtures
19.1. At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of road lighting, as well as in tunnels, a moving vehicle must turn on the following lighting devices:
on all motor vehicles and mopeds - high or low beam headlights, on bicycles - headlights or lanterns, on horse-drawn carts - lanterns (if any);
on trailers and towed motor vehicles - clearance lights.
Defining a road element for cycling
For cyclists aged 7 to 14
24.3. The movement of cyclists aged 7 to 14 years should be carried out only on sidewalks, pedestrian, bicycle and bicycle paths, as well as within pedestrian zones.
Cyclists under the age of 14 are prohibited from driving on the roadway and on the side of the road.
For cyclists under the age of 7
24.4. Cyclists under the age of 7 should only ride on sidewalks, pedestrian and cycle paths (on the side for pedestrian traffic), and within pedestrian zones.
Cyclists under the age of 7 must ride on the section of the road designated for pedestrian traffic.
Rules for the movement of cyclists on the roadway
24.5. When cyclists move along the right edge of the carriageway in the cases provided for by these Rules, cyclists must move only in one row.
A column of cyclists is allowed to move in two rows if the overall width of the bicycles does not exceed 0.75 m.
The column of cyclists must be divided into groups of 10 cyclists in the case of a single-lane movement or into groups of 10 pairs in the case of a two-lane movement. To facilitate overtaking, the distance between groups should be 80 - 100 m.
Rules for the movement of cyclists on the sidewalk and pedestrian zones
24.6. If the movement of a cyclist on a sidewalk, footpath, curb or within pedestrian zones endangers or interferes with the movement of other persons, the cyclist must dismount and be guided by the requirements provided for in these Rules for the movement of pedestrians.
On the sidewalk, pedestrians and other persons have full advantage in front of cyclists. This also applies to crossing roads and crossing exits from adjacent areas when a cyclist is moving on a sidewalk.
Cyclists are not allowed
ride a bicycle, moped without holding the steering wheel with at least one hand;
transport cargo that protrudes more than 0.5 m in length or width beyond the dimensions, or cargo that interferes with control;
to transport passengers, if this is not provided for by the design of the vehicle;
transport children under 7 years of age in the absence of specially equipped places for them;
turn left or turn around on roads with tram traffic and on roads with more than one lane for traffic in a given direction;
drive on the road without a fastened motorcycle helmet (for moped drivers).
cross the road at pedestrian crossings.
Violations of the Rules of the Road discussed in this article for a cyclist will cost 800 rubles, and in case of a violation while intoxicated, from 1000 to 1500 rubles.
Technique for safe and comfortable driving on a country road.
Most likely, the bike is purchased in order to ride it outside the city. Someone will go fishing, someone will go to the neighboring village for groceries, someone plans to join cycling tourism. That is, most cyclists are going to ride their bikes on country roads.
Which roads are not suitable for cycling?
First, don't ride your bike on motorways. Usually on such roads there is very heavy traffic of cars, so you will not feel safe there. What kind of safety can we talk about if cars, mostly heavy ones, are rushing a meter away from you at a speed of 80-90 km / h? The air on such roads, as a rule, is heavily diluted with exhaust gases, so a comfortable ride will not work there.
Second, roads with lots of trucks should be avoided. It doesn't have to be a highway. It is often dangerous to drive onto logging roads, along which timber is transported in whips. The speed of timber trucks on such roads, however, is small, but at a turn a tree can be swept off the road, like a broom, not only a bicycle, but also a car.
How should you drive on a country road?
Let's start with the fact that the rules of the road (SDA) apply on any road, and since you are driving (or walking) on this road, you must follow these rules.
If there is traffic on the road you are driving on (even a little), then you should drive as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway. On a country road, there will be no such situations when you need to change lanes to the middle of the right lane. Therefore, one should go as far to the right as possible, and one should not move to the left without good reason.
If there are sufficiently serious reasons (for example, you need to go around a pothole in the asphalt), then do not forget to first turn around and see if a car (or another cyclist) is overtaking you from behind. And it’s better to look for an opportunity to go around this pothole on the right, along the side of the road.
In extreme cases (on the left there is a dense stream of traffic, and the pothole is large and you can’t go around it on the right), stop, get off your bike, and go around the obstacle on foot. Let longer, but calmer.
If there are many cars on a narrow road, it may be safer for you to drive on the side of the road.
While driving, look at road signs and comply with their requirements.
Of course, not all road signs are related to cyclists. In particular, speed limit signs probably don't apply to you: it's unlikely you'll be able to significantly exceed the speed limit on a bike. But the priority signs for cyclists are most directly related. At intersections and junctions, look at these signs, figure out who has the right now, and give way if necessary.
A cyclist feels best on a road where there is no car traffic. In the forest clearing, you, in principle, can go as you please. The probability of meeting a car there is quite small, and even if you meet some mushroom picker or fisherman who drove into the forest by car, he will not drive along such a road much faster than you. And you will certainly figure out among yourselves which sides you should now disperse. But it should be remembered that right-hand traffic also works on such roads. And the rule right hand- too.
Observe the speed limit.
outside settlements road quality can change quickly and unexpectedly. For example, smooth, freshly laid asphalt may end, and huge potholes and pits will appear on the road. A common situation is that you are driving on a well-packed dirt road. The road descends to the river, and on the descent you develop a decent speed. And in front of the bridge, a hard road gives way to loose sand (sometimes even with coarse gravel), along which to drive at high speed means an almost guaranteed fall. Moreover, it is not always possible to see this transition in advance and reduce the speed.
Conclusion - When driving in unfamiliar terrain, observe the speed limit. You should not accelerate strongly on the descent from the mountain, if you do not know exactly what awaits you below.
Riding in a group.
If you are traveling along the road not alone, but in the company of cyclists like you, then you must follow some rules for riding in a group.
Keep your distance.
Imagine that a cyclist in front of you sees an obstacle and suddenly applies emergency braking. Or, for example, he does not notice potholes in the asphalt, loses control of the bike, and falls. Can you stop? It is not always possible to go around an obstacle without slowing down.
Therefore, one of the basic rules when riding in a group is to keep your distance. The distance depends on many factors - speed, terrain, quality pavement. On slopes, in slippery areas, and in conditions of poor visibility, the distance should be increased. You must have time to stop at the very worst case. Failure to follow this rule when riding in a group leads to mass falls - bicycle blockages, in which participants can very easily get injured, and bicycles can break.
Conclusion: the distance must obviously be greater than your stopping distance.
You can not go in several lanes on the road with car traffic.
Another situation - you are slowly driving along the road next to another cyclist and have a nice conversation with each other. At this time, a car is trying to overtake you. He will overtake one cyclist quickly and safely (to do this, he just needs to move a little to the left). And in order to overtake the two of you, the car must go into the oncoming lane. Will she be free at a sufficient distance to overtake? And will the driver of the car be able to complete the maneuver while maintaining a safe lateral interval? And will he have time to slow down on a winding road if he sees you at the very last moment?
Conclusion: on a road with car traffic, one should not line up in several rows. If you really want to drive nearby, then do it only on straight, well-viewed sections, and periodically look back (in the rear-view mirror). When a car appears from behind, immediately change lanes.
Unless absolutely necessary, you should not overtake a cyclist on the right.
Another unpleasant situation that can happen when riding in a group. You are following another cyclist and decide to overtake him. You do not want to shift to the left (cars are driving on your left), and you decide to overtake the cyclist on the right. You pull over to the side of the road and start overtaking. At this time, the one you are overtaking sees an obstacle (a pothole in the asphalt), and decides to go around it. He also does not want to move to the left, for the same reason as you. Therefore, he begins to go around the pothole in the asphalt on the right, along the side of the road. And on this side of the road, you just find yourself. As a result, you collide, you fall.
And why such a situation can not occur when overtaking on the left? But because before rebuilding to the left, the cyclist should always look to see if anyone (a car or another cyclist) is overtaking him at this time. And before rebuilding to the right, he is not obliged to do this - he already drives along the right edge of the roadway, there should not be anyone to the right of him.
Conclusion - Unless absolutely necessary, you should not overtake a cyclist on the right. If you have already decided on such a maneuver, then always clearly warn the one you are overtaking:
Kolya, I'm overtaking on the right!
Don't forget to signal.
Always warn other road users of what you are about to do. The SDA states that before turns, lane changes, and also before stopping, the cyclist must give hand signals. But when riding in a group, cyclists use additional signals to warn each other of obstacles on the road. For example, about a pothole, about glass fragments, and about other objects that you should not run into on a bicycle. Sometimes you have to enter special signals. For example, warning of a gust of wind.
If the group is large
If the group in which you are traveling is small (2-4 people), then in motion you are all within sight and sound of each other. If someone starts to fall behind, or is forced to stop, then he will always be able to inform the others about it.
Now imagine that you are driving along the road not together, but in a large company. The strengths of the group members are slightly different, as are the bicycles, so everyone rides at different speeds. As a result, some participants are a little ahead, others are a little behind. At some point, those who are lagging behind lose sight of those who have gone ahead. And then one of the laggards pierces the wheel ... The puncture is eliminated by joint efforts, which takes several minutes, but the laggards become hopelessly behind - those who went ahead will never know about it! That is, the group was divided into two (three or more) parts. It happens that as a result of such a separation, participants go in different directions (if those who went ahead miss the right turn). And what happens if one of the separated participants has a serious breakdown? You will need a tool that is in a public repair kit, and it is in the possession of another participant who drove ahead in an unknown direction.
To prevent this from happening, when riding in a group, you must follow simple rules.
Two people are appointed from among the participants - directing and closing.
guide rides ahead of the group, no one overtakes him. The tasks of the guide include orienteering in the area (that is, he must have a good idea where to go). Periodically (for example, after 40 minutes of driving, or every 10 km), the leader stops the group (to rest), and waits for the trailer. The group also stops at non-obvious turns and forks in the road.
trailing rides last, and does not overtake anyone. He rides behind the lagging participants, if problems arise, he helps to eliminate them. The trailer must have a first aid kit, a repair kit, and all the necessary skills to provide technical and medical assistance.
All other members ride along the road between the guide and the trailer. If everyone follows these rules, then the chance of losing half of the group becomes zero.
Naturally, the guide and trailer must be strong enough and self-confident. What will happen if the bike at the closing one breaks down, and he cannot fix the breakdown on his own? That's right, the guide, once again stopping the group and not finding the trailer, will go towards him. And what happens if the guide makes a mistake in orientation and turns the wrong way? Then the whole group will turn around and go to look for the right path.
Of course, these rules should not be elevated to the category of dogmas. In particular, the trailer can overtake some participants (for example, when driving uphill), - going uphill slowly is quite difficult, especially on a laden bike. It’s just that he shouldn’t lose sight of the participants behind him for a long time. Having reached the end of the ascent, the trailer must stop and wait for everyone he has overtaken.
In the same way, sometimes a strong participant can overtake the guide, you just need to warn him and agree on a meeting place (Kolya and I will go faster, and after three kilometers we are waiting for you in the village, near the store).
Driving on the left side of the road.
Sometimes you have to see a cyclist riding on the left side of the road, on the side of the road. How justified is this?
If you follow the rules, pedestrians should move along the left side of the road. The bicycle is vehicle, and must drive on the carriageway (on the right edge). From this point of view, cycling on the left side of the road is a violation of the rules.
On the other hand, it happens that, for example, it is not possible to drive along the roadway (heavy traffic flow), and the oncoming lane is free. And then it's really safer to go to the left side of the road (and not the oncoming lane!) And drive along it (as a pedestrian).
In other cases, it is better to ride a bicycle on the right side, as is customary in all countries with right-hand traffic.