ACA Hosted Ride Leader Training Austin, TX November 3rd, 2012

ACA Hosted RideLeader Training

Austin, TX November 3rd, 2012

ACA Ride Leader Training2

Introductions

Eileen Schaubert Eric Lancaster

Preston Tyree


Review of the Day

Overview of hosted ride program Ride leader tasks and responsibilities

Creating and submitting a ride Executing the ride Follow-up

Vehicular cycling Group Riding

Basic Maintenance

Overview of Program

The ACA Hosted Ride Program Is About Creating

Great Rides.


What Makes a Great Ride?

Socializing Meets or Beats Expectations Fun, Safe Routes Welcoming Convenient Predictable – Meet Up With New Friends


Ride Rating System

Set the expectations for a particular ride

Allow riders to self select their ride experience based on their abilities


The Rating Descriptions A – Fast-paced ride for very fit experienced riders. (18+ mph

average speed on flat routes.) B – Moderately intense brisk paced ride for experienced, self-

confident riders. (16-18 mph average speed on flat routes.) C – Intermediate level ride. Challenging for newer riders. Social

pace for fit and experienced riders. (14-16 mph average speed on flat routes.)

D – Beginner to advanced-beginner riders. Suits newer riders or riders seeking a leisurely pace. (12-14 mph average speed on flat routes.)

E – Novice and Family-friendly. Suitable for beginners, children, and sightseers (less than 12 mph average speed on flat routes.)

1 = most flat 4 = most hilly


The Hill Ratings

Use number system 1 – Flat (East Farmlands, Great Northern) 2 – Flat to Rolling (Parmer, MoPac

Extension) 3 – Hill Country (Loop 360, Liberty Hill) 4 – Training (Courtyard, Jester)


Ride Leader Responsibilities

Route planning Generating maps and cue sheets Submitting ride via website Preview the ride Executing the ride Post-ride reporting


Ride Leading and Hubs

Easier to Commit Shares the Schedule Forms a Group Culture Member-driven Activities Creates More Rides


Ride Hubs

Shared Ride Start Shared Member Login Ride Leader Contact Info in Description Google Group for each? Alias should

work


Ride Leader Communication

Email Google Group Respond to the Invite


Submitting a Ride

Ride leader user accounts Submit via website

First time submission Cloning previous rides

Approval process** Weather cancellation web notice

Web Site

Let’s Create a Ride


Preparing for a Ride

Previewing course Paper to bring

Maps / cue sheets Waiver forms Pre-ride brief

Optional arrangements Notifying rest stops Theme related equipment


Hosted Ride Program

Questions? Feedback?

Vehicular Cycling

Cyclists Fare Best When They Act and Are Treated As

Drivers of VehiclesJohn Forester

Cyclist’s Eye View

Questions?


About half of adult cyclist crashes are single rider falls. If you can skillfully control your bike, by starting, stopping, signaling and maneuvering smoothly, you will avoid falling or running into other cyclists, dogs, cars and pedestrians.

1: Bike Control: Don’t fall or collide with others

2: Follow rules: Don’t cause traffic crashes

For adult cyclists about half of the car/bike crashes are caused by cyclists who make unsafe decisions. Follow traffic laws, obey signs and signals and use correct lanes for turns and through movements so you don't cause a collision.

3: Lane Position: Discourage other’s mistakes

Motorist’s unsafe decisions cause about half of the car/bike crashes for adult cyclists. Know when to control the lane or when to share a lane. Use your lane position to tell drivers

what you are doing and discourage them from making right hooks, left crosses or other bad movements. Over 90% of the crashes can be

avoided with the first three layers.

4: Avoidance: Avoid other’s mistakes

When all else fails and you are faced with a critical situation you need to understand how to maneuver your vehicle to avoid crashing or at least limit the consequence of a crash.

5: Passive Safety: Survive a crash

When you are involved in a crash you need those passive safety devices that will help you survive. This means a helmet and gloves as a minimum.

Crash Prevention Skills


Texas Law on Road Positioning

§ 551.103. OPERATION ON ROADWAY. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless:..(4) the person is operating a bicycle in an outsidelane that is:(A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have adesignated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane; or(B) too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicleto safely travel side by side.


Lane Positioning

Translation: In urban streets, a

cyclist should ride on the right and control the lane unless: It has a “usable”

bike lane It’s greater than

14 feet The cyclist is

turning left

14 f

t

No Usable Bike Lane

3.0 ft

3.0 ft

Control Position

3.0 ft


City of Austin Code

§ 12-2-16 RIDING RESTRICTIONS. (A) Except as otherwise directed by a traffic-control device or a police officer, a bicyclist shall ride: (1) in the right-most lane available to vehicle traffic where vehicles are prohibited from parking along the right curb; (2) in the center of the lane where vehicles are permitted to park along the right curb; or (3) in the right-hand portion of an unlaned street. (B) A bicyclist may not ride a bicycle between vehicles traveling or standing in the same direction within marked lanes of a roadway.Source: 1992 Code Section 16-8-25; Ord. 031204-13; Ord. 031211-11.


Lane Positioning Animation

://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/animations/lane-control/

Or try this link:http://cyclingsavvy.org/hows-my-driving/


Lane Positioning


Bike Lanes and Multi-use Paths

Keep right Pass on left Announce when passing Yield to pedestrians Use appropriate speeds


Group Riding Communication

Use hand and verbal signals Warn of changes in speed or direction

Slowing, stopping, rolling Right turn, left turn

Announce hazards Hole, cracks or grates Gravel or glass Dog

Warn of other traffic Car back, car up Runner up


Group Riding

Be predictable Change positions correctly

Pass on left

Watch out at intersections Try not to separate group All riders responsible for own safety

No yelling ‘Clear’ Watch acceleration around corners

Move completely off road when stopped


Group Animations

http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/animations/group-riding/ Lane Changes and Use of Bike Lanes

http://vimeo.com/23390727 Disruptive http://vimeo.com/17300276 Lane

Control


Group Riding Skills

Drafting Watch for overlapping wheels

Pacelines and echelons Try only with more experienced groups Communicate rotations Pay close attention to other traffic


Riding Two Abreast

Riding two abreast is legal Can be used to control lane Cannot impede normal flow of traffic Leave a gap for cars to pass every few riders

Group must respond quickly for singling up Single file IS traffic

Riding three abreast is not legal Use extra caution when changing lanes


Group Lane Positioning

Two lane roads require judgment Narrow lanes should

be single file with faster traffic present

Single file allows cars to pass more easily

Discourage aggressive maneuvers by facilitating safe passing

14 f

t

As far right as practicable

3.0 ft

3.0 ft

Cannot ImpedeNormal Flow

3.0 ft


Intersections & Positioning

Where Does a Group Merge? Filtering

Right Turning Traffic Vulnerable Road User Restrictions

One Big Vehicle?


Group Skills

Doubling up Lead rider verifies it’s safe Lead rider moves left and slows slightly Alternate riders follow left Inside riders accelerate slightly to align

Singling up Front or last rider calls to single up Inside rider slows slightly to create gap Outside rider accelerates to move into gap


Group Skills

Climbing Single up as appropriate Pass carefully on left communicating with others Keep right especially cresting hills and just over Shift gears before needed Stand carefully to avoid backwards movement

Downhill Control speed to watch for hazards Control lane as appropriate Negotiate curves by leaning Brake before curve and coast through


Group Skills

Rural roads Keep as far right as practicable

Exception – limited sight right curve Move left in lane prior to curve if safe Move back right when either:

Driver approaching from rear sees you You have completed turn

Oncoming traffic Watch for cars passing Plan escape route off road


Group Skills

Overtaking traffic Single up as needed Leave gap every few riders for cars to pass Maintain safe position in lane

Confrontations Pull over if needed, do not engage Get description and license plate Contact local law enforcement if needed Report incident to ACA


Kid’s Eye View

Small size prevents clear view of traffic Visual focus ability not well developed Don’t understand traffic laws Easily distracted Kids and brakes

Avoid steep descents ending with cross traffic


Pre-ride Brief for Kids

Kids under 18 need adult guardian Helmet fit

Lead discussion of proper fit Have parents check their own kids

ABCD Quick Check Lead group in quick check

Discuss hand signs and verbal warnings Point where you’re turning “Yell real loud”


ABC Quick Check

A: Air/Tires/Wheels/Spokes/Spin B: Brakes/Pads/Levers/Skid C: Chain/Crank/Shifting Quick: Quick Release Check: Parking Lot


Ride Leader Mechanical Support

Not expected to be a pro mechanic Solve the easy ones to get home ABC Quick Check should find worst

offenders early Cell phone is acceptable tool Use good judgment when splitting

group


Common Mechanical Issues

Rubbing brakes Misaligned wheel Out of true wheel

Lack of stopping power Open brake caliper Stretched brake cables

Chain drops and mis-shifts Get them in a gear they can ride home Use barrel adjusters if you know how


Route Considerations

Start locations Bathrooms highly desirable Check with owners for permission to park

Bike shops Restaurants Coffee shops Schools – check public access rules Parks Churches



Road choices vary by: Time of day Ride rating

Plan highway crossings carefully Look for:

Less traffic Available shoulders Easy to navigate turns and crossings Well marked turns Pavement in good condition



Water / store stops Must follow minimum guidelines Adjust for extreme conditions Plan for bathroom facilities

Post-ride activities Plan for hanging out or activities as desired

Route Planning

Let’s Create a Ride


Advice for Handling Problems

Latecomers Disruptive / fast riders Slow riders Bonking or overheating riders Use your best judgment to keep the

ride together safely


Wrap-up

Questions? Feedback? Other ideas?

Documents

ACA Hosted Ride Leader Training Austin, TX November 3rd, 2012