Bike MS^® Safety

Group riding takes practice. It is most important to create your own safety zone. This may vary depending on the speed and ability level of the people you are with, so be flexible. Let others know how you’re feeling — they may also be new at this. If you haven’t ridden in a group before, consider visiting a local bike shop or bike club to learn and practice the basics of riding in a group.

Your responsibility in a pack includes:

• Be aware of others around you.
• Ride no more than two abreast when riding in a group.
• Communicate well in advance. Use gestures in combination with verbal commands. Communication starts with those leading the group; those who are following are responsible for passing the message along to the rest of the group.
• Make sure not to go left of center when passing or coming off the front of a group.
• Maintain control and speed of your bike, especially when going downhill.
• Know your limits. Crashes can occur when inexperienced riders do not have bike-handling skills to make quick decisions in a pack.
• Group mentality is not always safe. Expect to stop at all red lights and stop signs — it’s the law!
• Each cyclist is responsible for verifying that the intersection is clear.
• Adjust your safety zone to fit the conditions of the road, weather and traffic. Always plan an escape route.
• Be aware of how weather will affect your bike. Riding in wet conditions requires slower speeds and greater breaking distances. See How to Ride in the Rain (PDF).
• Never overlap your wheels with another cyclist.
• Do not use aerobars in a pack.
• Be respectful of other riders. Help others when needed.

Special Situations

• Drivers do not know your skill level and will often not leave room when they pass. It is up to you to give them the room. In a group, call out “car back” or “car up” and move as far to the right as you feel safe. Be predictable.
• Beware of animals. Knowing how to handle animals, specifically dogs, on a bike varies depending on the situation. You may want to slow down, outsprint the dog, or yell “stop”, “no” or “go home.” Distracting a dog with a water bottle should only be used when you are not in a pack. Try to keep to one side of the dog. Let others know of your intentions. Once you are a safe distance away, notify the Rider Assistance Line about the situation.
• Pedestrians, joggers and animals have the right-of-way. Signal to the pack that someone is being overtaken and move to allow room for safe passing.

It is critical that parents, guardians and their children understand there are risk associated with cycling on public roads and are confident that a young cyclist has both the skills and the judgment to ride safely. This is especially important while participating in group cycling activities like Bike MS.

• All cyclists must be at least 12 years of age.
• Minors (under 18 years old) MUST be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult over 21 years of age at all times — on and off the route.
• All cyclists, including minors, need to possess basic bike handling skills and safety knowledge to keep themselves and others around them safe.
• Parents must review the rules of the road on this page with their children in advance of the ride to make sure they understand and can follow them.
• There will be many cyclists on the course, so young cyclists should fully understand rider etiquette and how to ride in large groups.
• Alcohol may be served at Bike MS and identification will be checked. Please remind young riders that they must be 21 or older to consume alcohol during the event.