Help with riding etiquette!

[arielmoon]

I was reading another thread where there 'car up' was mentioned and I realized I did not know what that means. I know 'car back' and to point out things in the road to riders behind and that a hand out low means to slow down but I would really like to know more.

Can anyone help me out so that when I go on a group ride I dont look like the total newb that I am?

[beccaB]

The one I did on Saturday, people would announce passing on left, stopping, and some riders pointed down to the right for gravelly stuff and potholes.

[Eden]

mmm - sometimes it can be context. The people in the other thread called "car up" because they were going to be entering a one lane bridge and there was already a car there.

When I'm racing, sometimes we call car up, just to warn those who are near the center line to be careful.... (but in general group rides should not be spread out over the road like that....)

Sometimes you'll hear people on a regular group ride call car up if the group will be turning and they want to warn everyone to not turn in front of a car.

[arielmoon]

mmm - sometimes it can be context. The people in the other thread called "car up" because they were going to be entering a one lane bridge and there was already a car there.

When I'm racing, sometimes we call car up, just to warn those who are near the center line to be careful.... (but in general group rides should not be spread out over the road like that....)

Sometimes you'll hear people on a regular group ride call car up if the group will be turning and they want to warn everyone to not turn in front of a car.

So would 'car up' be one in front as you are entering a road as opposed to 'car back' coming up from the back?

[F8th637]

Typically, "car back" is when the car is coming up from behind you and "car up" is when there is an oncoming car in front of you. If you are on a multi-use trail it helps to indicate if there is an oncoming anything especially if the path is narrow. Always use hand signals to indicate your intentions, point left and right and let people behind you know when you are slowing down by making a "back up" motion with your hand low behind your back.

Also, if you are coming to an intersection let people know you are going straight by putting your arm out in front of you. This really benefits the people that are across the street from you and on the sides of you. If you are coming to an intersection and there are people behind you that would benefit from knowing if the coast is clear, yell "Clear!" if it is safe for them to cross. Only do this if it is clear for them as well.

It helps to point out hazards in the road like beccaB mentioned as well.

[Pedal Wench]

"Car up" is most useful on smaller roads that don't have a yellow line.

Or on roads that have lots of cyclists in both directions - an oncoming car might swing wider to pass a cyclist (or other obstacle) on their side, so it's good to know they're coming.

[OakLeaf]

There's been some discussion about yelling "Clear." For one thing, what if you're mistaken? A related issue is whether it's ever okay to roll through a stop sign/light when it's safe. Some people think that's never okay, and in that case there's no reason to call "Clear."

The MOST important thing to call is when you're slowing down. If someone runs into you from behind, they're the one who's going to crash, even if their wheel just touches yours lightly. You don't have brake lights, so the only way they know if you're braking is if you tell them. (If you're using your rear brake then they can see the caliper closing, but if you're just using the front to scrub some speed off, they really have no way to know.)

Some people distinguish between "STOPPING" and just "SLOWING" or "BRAKING." Since I don't always know until the point whether I'm going to be coming to a complete stop, I usually just indicate BRAKING. If you're not in a panic brake and you can spare a hand for a hand signal as well as an audible, then do so. (The only hand signal I've ever seen is the same one cars use: left arm extended down, palm open to the rear.)

Road hazards should also be pointed out (both left and right); when you have to ride through a hazard like gravel or multiple potholes, call it out and some people also make a wavy hand signal to show that the hazard is on both sides.

"Car left" and "Car right" are good when approaching an intersection or driveway, too.

[Ann G]

There are some good basic cycling 101 tips here:

http://www.princesspromenade.com/etiquette.php

[arielmoon]

There are some good basic cycling 101 tips here:

http://www.princesspromenade.com/etiquette.php

This is exactly what I needed! Thank you!