ACA Hosted RideLeader Training
Austin, TX November 3rd, 2012
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Introductions
Eileen Schaubert Eric Lancaster
Preston Tyree
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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.
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What Makes a Great Ride?
Socializing Meets or Beats Expectations Fun, Safe Routes Welcoming Convenient Predictable – Meet Up With New Friends
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Ride Rating System
Set the expectations for a particular ride
Allow riders to self select their ride experience based on their abilities
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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
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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)
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Ride Leader Responsibilities
Route planning Generating maps and cue sheets Submitting ride via website Preview the ride Executing the ride Post-ride reporting
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Ride Leading and Hubs
Easier to Commit Shares the Schedule Forms a Group Culture Member-driven Activities Creates More Rides
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Ride Hubs
Shared Ride Start Shared Member Login Ride Leader Contact Info in Description Google Group for each? Alias should
work
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Ride Leader Communication
Email Google Group Respond to the Invite
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Lane Positioning Animation
://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/animations/lane-control/
Or try this link:http://cyclingsavvy.org/hows-my-driving/
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Lane Positioning
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Bike Lanes and Multi-use Paths
Keep right Pass on left Announce when passing Yield to pedestrians Use appropriate speeds
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Intersections & Positioning
Where Does a Group Merge? Filtering
Right Turning Traffic Vulnerable Road User Restrictions
One Big Vehicle?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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”
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ABC Quick Check
A: Air/Tires/Wheels/Spokes/Spin B: Brakes/Pads/Levers/Skid C: Chain/Crank/Shifting Quick: Quick Release Check: Parking Lot
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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
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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
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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
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Route Considerations
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
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Route Considerations
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
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Advice for Handling Problems
Latecomers Disruptive / fast riders Slow riders Bonking or overheating riders Use your best judgment to keep the
ride together safely
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Wrap-up
Questions? Feedback? Other ideas?