Following
is some useful information on safe cycling
to ensure that you stay safe throughout
the Pedal Safari expedition. Even if you
won't be participating in next year's event,
below you will find some very important
safety information that every cyclist should
know.
If you will be joining us, we encourage
you to come and take part in the special
safety training during the Pedal Safari
Orientation.
For safety issues and concerns specific
to the Pedal Safari event, please have a
look at the safety
information under the FAQ's
section of the site.
Safe
cycling is the best way to protect yourself
from injury during the Pedal Safari journey.
We make every possible effort to maximize
safety before and during the Pedal Safari
ride. In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable
experience, throughout the expedition
there will be:
·
En route safety check-ups to monitor the
group's safety and suggest individual
improvements.
First aid kits, radios and cell-phones
in each support vehicle.
Brightly
colored and highly visible bicycling clothing
will make you visible to motorists and
other road users, thus minimizing the
likelihood of a collision or of being
run off the road.
Signaling
to other cyclists and motorists to indicate
clearly what you intend to do or to point
out a potential hazard on the road can
greatly reduce the chances of accidents.
STAY ALERT and AWARE.
General
Information for Safe Riding
80%
of all bicycle accidents do not involve
cars; contrary to popular belief, only
20% of bicycle accidents involve motor
vehicles. The primary cause is of accident
is rider error.
What
is the best way to prevent accidents and
keep out of harms way?
Be an informed, aware cyclist. Ride single
file; especially in high-traffic urban
areas and on major roadways, riding abreast
of other cyclists increases the risk of
an accident. If a vehicle passes too close
to the traffic-side cyclist, s/he may
be forced to swerve, causing both cyclists
to go down.
Communicate with other cyclists: when
passing (in East Africa, where they drive
on the left side of the road, pass only
on the right, never on the left) call
out "on your right." Not only
is this courteous, but the cyclist you
are passing may be about to swerve right
to avoid a pothole, which would force
you out into the road.
If there is a pothole, grate, glass, or
other debris in the road, point it out
with your hand and / or call out "glass"
/ "hole," etc. This will warn
those behind you about obstacles they
can't see.
Drafting is dangerous: though it can save
energy, drafting is a major cause of accidents.
Unless you have confidence in the experience
of the other rider(s) with whom you engage
in drafting, stay on the safe side and
avoid it.
Coexisting
with Traffic:
Cyclists
must share the roads with cars, trucks,
and motorcycles. As much as you might
prefer riding on a smooth, separate, well-paved
bike path stretching from Dar es Salaam
to Kampala, the reality is that cyclists
use the same roads most other motorized
traffic. This makes it imperative that
we learn and practice the safe cycling
techniques and behaviors detailed in this
section. Safe riding is the courteous,
legal, and responsible way to maximize
your own security on the road.
Traffic
Tips:
The
basic rule is be predictable!
Do
not zip in and out of traffic, run red
lights, hop curbs, or try to out-sprint
motorists.
When
turning, signal and get in the proper
lane. If the intersection is busy, wait
your turn. When riding on streets with
parked cars, hold your line. Don't dip
in toward the curb when there is an empty
space. Moving to the curb takes you out
of sight of approaching cars. You'll surprise
vehicles when you swerve back out into
the road, putting yourself in danger.
Communication
with Fellow Bikers:
Pass
other riders only on the right (or vice-versa
in America). Make your intention clear.
Utter "on your right" every
time you pass. If you see a vehicle looming
in your third-eye mirror, tell the riders
in front of you. Yell, "car back!"
or "truck back!" Likewise, holler
"car up" or "walker up"
when a vehicle or pedestrian is coming
from in front of you. When you are in
front of other riders, point down at pieces
of glass, pot holes and other obstacles
and signal to indicating you are stopping
or turning. Ride at a safe distance (at
least 2 bike lengths) from the cyclist
ahead of you.
Communication
with Drivers:
Make
drivers aware of your presence as would
another vehicle, (in a non-confrontational
manner, of course). At intersections,
make eye contact with drivers to make
sure they become aware of your presence.
If
you doubt a car has noticed you, let it
go ahead even if you have the right-of-way.
You will also benefit motorist / cyclist
relations; disprove the assumption that
all cyclists are inconsiderate, law-breaking
ruffians. Helmeted but vulnerable, you
will always lose against steel.
If
a driver waves you through an intersection
(e.g. if you're making a turn), make sure
that this is the only vehicle you have
to watch out for. A car in another lane
may pose a threat.
Sharing
the Road:
When
there are cars behind you, make a motion
that indicates you are aware of their
presence (such as "Hold") and
then wave them on at the appropriate time
to pass. Pull over if more than three
cars are trailing behind you. On city
streets, or when it feels unsafe to be
squeezed over to the right side of the
road, don't be afraid to take the entire
lane! It may be disconcerting to have
a car honk at you because you are in its
path, but it is more dangerous to have
one whiz by within inches of your flesh.
If you ride too far over to the right
(or left in America), drivers may try
(unsuccessfully) to squeeze by you or
not see you at all because you are in
their blind spot. You also run the risk
of being "doored" by a parked
car when riding in this position. (One
tip for avoiding this: look in the side-view
mirror of the car as you approach; you
will be able to see if anyone is inside
and if they are about to open the door
in your path).
More
Safe Cycling Tips:
Check your third-eye mirror frequently.
If you see a car approaching from behind,
decide whether they have ample room to
pass you. (You can quickly judge the amount
of room you have by looking at the distance
between the car's right tire and the white
line.) Although the third-eye mirror is
an important safety device, it does not
replace looking over your shoulder. Just
as with car mirrors, the distance of a
vehicle in your mirror
may be less than it seems.
When stopping, move as far to the edge
of the shoulder of the road as you can.
If you stop to talk to a friend, eat a
snack, or to appreciate a landscape, take
yourself out of harm's way.
In general, trust your instincts; if you
feel unsafe in traffic, stop, get off
your bike if need be, wait for things
to calm down, or call for an Support and
Gear vehicle (SAG).
While being an aware, safe cyclist, remember
to be courteous and pleasant. When you
treat other motorists and road users with
respect, chances are they will do they
same to you and fellow cyclists behind
and ahead of you.
Railroad
Tracks and Cattle Guards:
To
cross tracks safely, you must slow down
and cross with your tires as perpendicular
to the tracks as possible. Crossing at
a slight angle can catch your tires in
the groove of the track, causing a fall.
Braking:
Don't brake continuously on a long
downhill stretch, as your rims can get
too hot and your tires may explode. Instead,
brake continuously on and off.
When stopping suddenly, use both front
and rear brakes: For gradual braking,
start by squeezing the rear brake first
(the rear brake only has 25% of your stopping
power), then gradually add the front.
You can fly over your handlebars when
your front wheel locks up as a result
of suddenly stopping by use of only the
front brakes. Getting your weight back
and down off your seat and over your rear
wheel on steep down hills will also help
to increase your control.
When approaching corners, break before
you begin to turn. This is especially
important at high speeds and in wet conditions.
In wet conditions, brake gradually. Braking
suddenly may cause skidding and / or an
accident.
Rain:
In
eastern Africa, tropical storms are common
throughout the month of August. Riding
in the rain can be challenging and takes
planning, yet it can also be fun (and
refreshing!) if you are prepared for it.
You will get wet no matter what you wear,
so it's more important to wear something
that will stay warm than something you
think will keep you dry. Avoid cotton
for wet weather. Bring a shirt of very
light wool or Polypro-type material.
Wet brakes and tires increase the amount
of time needed for stopping, so SLOW DOWN
and think ahead.
Always brake in a straight line - before
negotiating a turn - and pedal through
turns to increase stability.
Never ride through a puddle unless you
know what is at the bottom.
Manhole covers, grates, anything metal,
and many painted road surfaces are like
ice when wet. Don't turn, brake, or aggressively
accelerate on these surfaces. Your tires
may skid, and you may go down.
Those
of you with racing bikes need to be more
careful. Here is one of the few times
when a mountain bike or heavier touring
bike has a distinct advantage. Try to
anticipate what you will need to do and
do it slowly. A quick turn or jerk could
land you on the pavement. Take a very
little amount of air out of your tires
to increase road contact, but not so much
that you will get compression flats. There's
nothing like changing a flat tire in the
rain.
Remember
that motorists' vision is lessened in
wet weather, so wear bright clothing,
use your lights, and ride extra-defensively.
If
there is lightning nearby, DON'T RIDE.
Wait it out away from your bicycle and
any other metal objects and away from
open water. Try not to be the tallest
feature in the area, and don't stand under
a large tree or on an exposed high place.
In the event that there is nearby lightning
during the Pedal Safari ride, the SAV
will come and pick you up.
Oil
spills:
These
are as slippery as icy surfaces; if you
can avoid them by going around them all
together, do it. Stop if necessary to
and walk across them.
Safety
Gear and Clothing:
Helmet:
These
are compulsory for Pedal Safari riders,
so buy one before you buy a bicycle and
pack one before you pack a bicycle! You
will be required to wear a helmet at all
times, even for the shortest rides. Thus
you might as well get used to your helmet
during practice time if you haven't already.
Make sure your helmet is strapped on properly,
meaning tight enough: if it is too loose
it won't do you much good in a crash.
It should be as far forward on your head
as is comfortable. If you crash and hit
your head, always get a new helmet, even
if the damage is not visible, as helmets
lose their protective ability after a
heavy impact. (Some helmet manufacturers
will even replace your helmet for free
after a crash.) When purchasing a new
helmet, consider weight, ventilation,
and color (light colors increase visibility
and reduce heat absorption).
Third-Eye
Mirror:
Another
required piece of Pedal Safari safety
equipment, third-eye mirrors can be life-savers.
They allow you to know in a split-second
what is behind you. Don't count on hearing
cars coming or looking back in an emergency.
Mirrors are much easier and safer because
with practice you will be able to check
your mirror by moving your eyes, without
having to move your head. You will not
be allowed to ride without one, so it
is advisable that you begin practicing
now.
Handlebar
mirrors also work, and are acceptable
in place of a third-eye mirror for the
Pedal Safari ride. Some riders find them
less awkward than third-eye mirrors.
Reflectors:
Reflectors
should be attached to your wheels, pedals,
and on the front and back of your bike.
Although they are not required, we STRONGLY
recommend reflective vests. We won't be
riding at night, but early morning departures
are always a possibility if the day is
going to be very hot or very long. In
any case, reflectors increase daytime
visibility as well. Also bring lights
if you have them (for tunnels, fog, etc.)
and wear bright clothing - it can make
an enormous difference. The sooner a car
sees you the better. Remember, the last
thing many drivers expect to see is a
cyclist on country roads.
Keeping
all this in mind you are sure to have
a safe, trouble-free and enjoyable Pedal
Safari adventure!
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