🚴 Stuff Every Cyclist Should Know: Training Guide

Your Place on the Road

A bike in a travel lane is a vehicle. In most states, a person on a bike has the same rights and duties as a car driver. That means you may use the road, and you must obey traffic signs, signals, and rules.

Ride in the same direction as traffic and use the rightmost lane going your way. Drivers look for vehicles coming from the usual direction, so riding against traffic surprises them.

If a lane is too narrow for a car and a bike side by side, you may move away from the right edge and take more of the lane. This is often called taking the lane and helps stop a car from squeezing past too closely.

When turning left from a turn lane, a Florida rider may use the full lane. Staying in the middle prevents cars from squeezing past at the intersection.

Some intersections have a painted two stage bicycle turn box. Ride straight to the box, turn your bike, and wait for the next green light to finish the turn safely.

In Washington and many other states, riders on a road may not ride more than two abreast. Florida adds that two riders abreast must stay in one lane and not hold up traffic. Minnesota also says no more than two abreast on a roadway or shoulder, and riders stay in one lane on a laned road.

Parked Cars and Doors

Stay out of the door zone, the space next to parked cars where a door can open. A door's width of space gives you room to react.

The Dutch Reach tells people in parked cars to open the door with the hand farther from it. This makes the body turn, so the person naturally looks back and sees a rider coming.

Washington law says no one may open a car door on the traffic side until it is reasonably safe. The person opening the door has the legal duty, not the rider.

Sidewalks and Special Places

In Washington and Florida, a bike rider on a sidewalk or crosswalk has a pedestrian's rights and duties. Some cities ban sidewalk riding, so check local rules.

In Florida, a rider on a sidewalk must yield to people walking and give a sound warning before passing, such as a bell or calling out.

When riding on a sidewalk toward a driveway with a car approaching in Oregon, slow to no faster than an ordinary walk. Drivers look for walkers, not fast bikes.

Passing Laws, Right Hooks, and Tracks

Under Florida law, a driver passing a bike in the same lane must leave at least 3 feet. If the driver cannot do that safely, the driver must wait behind the rider.

In Washington, when at least two lanes go the same way, a driver passing a bike in the right lane, shoulder, or bike lane must move completely into the left lane.

A right hook happens when a car passes a rider and then turns right too soon. Florida says a driver may turn right only if the bike is at least 20 feet back and the turn is safe.

Cross railroad tracks straight across at a right angle. A narrow tire can drop into the groove next to a rail and get stuck, and wet tracks are slippery.

Hand Signals

To signal a left turn, hold your left arm straight out to the side. Drivers and riders behind you can see where you plan to go.

For a right turn, many states let bike riders point the right arm straight out to the right. This is easy for drivers to understand and is a special option for bicyclists.

The older right turn signal uses the left arm. Bend the left arm up at the elbow with your hand pointing to the sky. Drivers use this same signal from a car.

To show you are stopping or slowing, point your left arm down toward the road. This warns riders and drivers before you brake.

In Idaho and Oregon, start signaling at least 100 feet before a turn. If you need both hands to control the bike, you may stop signaling.

Stop Signs and Red Lights

Idaho's stop sign law lets a bike rider slow, yield to anyone close, and go on without fully stopping if the way is clear. If traffic is close, you must stop.

At a steady red light in Idaho, a rider going straight must come to a full stop and yield to all other traffic, then may proceed carefully. A right turn on red needs only slowing and yielding.

In Oregon, a law passed in 2019 changed how bike riders treat stop signs. After slowing to a safe speed, a rider may go through a stop sign without a complete stop, as long as the way is clear. The rider still must give way to people walking and to other traffic. The rule does not apply to steady red lights.

Being Seen at Night

At night, state laws require a white light on the front of a bike. It works like a car's headlights so others can see you.

Washington requires a red reflector on the back of a bike ridden in the dark. A red rear light or flashing LED taillight may be added, and experts recommend one.

Wear bright colors in daylight and make eye contact with drivers at corners. At night, add a white front light, a red rear light, and reflectors.

Helmet Standards and Fit

Bike helmets sold in the US must have a label that says they meet the CPSC safety standard. A DOT sticker is for motorcycle helmets, not bicycle helmets.

A bike helmet should sit level and low on your forehead, about two finger widths above your eyebrows. If it is pushed back, your forehead is not protected.

Buckle the chin strap snug enough that about one finger fits underneath. When you open your mouth wide, a well fitted helmet should pull down on your head.

If a helmet takes a hard hit, replace it or return it to the maker for inspection. The foam may be damaged even if the outside looks fine.

When buying a helmet for a growing kid, pick one that fits right now, not one to grow into. Let kids help choose, because they are more likely to wear a helmet they like.

In Florida, riders and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet. In Oregon, a ticket for a child 11 or younger goes to the parent or guardian.

The ABC Quick Check

A stands for Air. Before you ride, make sure your tires have enough air in them.

B stands for Brakes. Look at your brake pads and make sure they are not worn down.

The last letter is C, for the chain and the cranks. Give the cranks a firm wiggle to confirm they are tight. Look over the chain for rust or built-up grime. After A, B, and C, take a short slow test ride to make sure everything feels right.

Tires, Valves, and Flats

Tire makers print the recommended air pressure on the tire sidewall. Park Tool suggests lining up the pressure marking with the valve so it is easy to find.

Presta valves are thinner and have a small locknut on top that you unthread before adding air. Schrader valves are the same type found on many American cars.

Before prying a tire off the rim, deflate the tube completely and use tire levers, never a screwdriver or knife. Even a little air left in the tube makes the tire harder to remove.

Before you put a new tube in, find and remove what caused the flat. A nail, thorn, or piece of glass can still be stuck in the tire and flatten the new tube.

Two small matching slits side by side usually mean a rim pinch. The tube got pinched between the rim and an object, and more air pressure or wider tires help prevent it.

Chain Care and Shifting

Put a small drop of chain lube on each rivet of a clean chain. Too much lube collects dirt.

Right after lubing, wipe the extra lube off with a clean dry rag. Extra lube on the outside of the chain catches dirt.

When pedaling gets harder, like on a hill, shift into an easier lower gear. When it gets easier, like downhill, shift into a harder higher gear.

On flat ground, ride in the middle of your gear range. This helps keep your pedaling smooth and steady.

For best results, keep the chain in a generally straight line. Riding big ring to biggest cog or small to smallest bends the chain sharply, which riders call cross chaining.

Bike Fit and Riding Position

With one pedal all the way down, your knee should still have a slight bend. That is a quick test that the saddle height is close.

A saddle that is much too low puts extra stress on your knee. Raising the saddle gives better leg extension, but a lower saddle can be fine for a child learning to get on.

Straddle a mountain or hybrid bike and lift it until the frame touches you. There should be 3 to 4 inches of tire clearance. For a road bike, 1 to 2 inches is enough.

The bent over road bike posture on drop bars can be a faster position, because it reduces air resistance and lets more muscles add power.

Pedals and Cleats

Clipless pedals lock onto a cleat or special fitting on the sole of your shoe. The name is odd because there is no toe clip.

Some cleats have float, which lets your foot rotate a little on the pedal. Float keeps your knees, hips, and ankles from being locked, but too much float can make handling less precise.

When setting cleat position, Park Tool says to copy your natural walking gait.

Sharing Trails and Roads

On a shared path, warn people before you pass, and clearly say 'On your left' as you go by. Keep right except when passing.

After passing, leave about two bike lengths before moving back to the right. Look ahead and behind before pulling out. Most trail users will not have lights at night, so use a white front light and a red rear light even on paths.

E-Bike Classes

In states with e-bike classes, like Minnesota and California, a Class 1 e-bike assists only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph.

A Class 2 e-bike's motor can move the bike without you pedaling, up to 20 mph.

A Class 3 e-bike helps while you pedal up to 28 mph. California requires Class 3 e-bikes to have a speedometer.

California lets Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes have a walk mode that moves the bike on motor power up to 3.7 mph.

Tour de France Jerseys

The yellow jersey in the Tour de France is worn each day by the leader of the overall race. The overall winner keeps it after the final stage.

The red polka dot jersey goes to the leader of the best climber classification. The climbing contest began in 1933, but the dotted jersey first appeared in 1975.

Fuel and Water

On a ride of more than one hour of hard effort, eat carbohydrates during the ride, such as bananas or raisins. Carbs are your muscles' main energy during exercise.

Mayo Clinic says to drink water before, during, and after a workout. Sweating makes you lose fluid, so you need extra water.

Dark urine and a dry mouth are signs you may need more fluid.