Iowa State Patrol Safety Education Officers	Ride Ride Safety Guide
	In conjunction with The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa -RAGBRAI- a list of 10 rules of etiquette and safety has been developed as part of an overall RIDE RIGHT bicycle safety campaign. These rules, when combined with the legal rules of the road and when adhered to by riders, make this event safer and more enjoyable for everyone. This section outlines these rules and gives some suggestions for physical preparation. 1. Use the RIGHT stuff. Keep your bicycle in good repair. Have it readied for RAGBRAI, and then keep it in good shape. It is especially important to make sure your brakes work well. 2. Bring along the RIGHT gear. Wear a protective helmet. It is estimated that 85 percent of bicycling accidents result in injury to the face or head. Wear bright clothing. Be noticed. At night, wear light-colored clothing and have a bright headlight and taillight. Better yet, don't ride at night on RAGBRAI. 3. Use the RIGHT communications. Signal turns and stops. The law says you must, but this point can't be emphasized enough. Most accidents on RAGBRAI involve two or more bicycles and most are the result of riders not letting others know of their intentions. Sound off when passing. Use phrases such as "on your left," "on your right," or "coming through the middle." 4. Practice the RIGHT riding. Stop off the road surface. When stopping along the RAGBRAI routes, let those behind know of your plans. make sure no bicycles or motor vehicles are immediately behind you when you stop. Stop at the right edge of the roadway and immediately move to the shoulder. Stay clear of the roadway. Stopping is especially dangerous at the crest of a hill or on a curve. Don't weave. Ride in a straight line to make it easier for those riding behind you. Don't draft. Drafting in a crowd is dangerous to yourself and others around you. There is no place for it on RAGBRAI. Likewise, drafting vehicles is also dangerous and will not be tolerated on RAGBRAI. Ride to the right. Leave room for others to pass on your left. There have been many close calls and at least one serious accident because a passing rider was forced into the opposite lane. Turn left from the center of the roadway. Turn right from along the curb or shoulder, and stay to the right. Park completely off the roadway to make repairs, rest, visit, etc. 5. Observe the legal RIGHT. Obey traffic laws. In Iowa, bicyclists enjoy the same rights as motorists. In accepting those rights, bicyclists also assume the responsibilities for riding in a safe and legal manner by: stopping completely at stop signs. obeying yield signs. not crossing yellow lines in your lane. riding to the right. signaling for turns. not cutting corners. riding in a respectable manner. 6. Use the RIGHT frame of mind. Use your brain when you ride. You must be constantly thinking and alert to what's going on around you. Pace yourself. RAGBRAI is not a race. It is a touring bicycle ride across the state of Iowa. Not all riders travel at the same speed, so don't try to keep up with someone who rides too fast for you. Riding too fast or in too high a gear is tough on your knees, heart and lungs. 7. Make sure you have the RIGHT abilities Do NOT drink alcohol and ride. 8. Come prepared with the RIGHT attitude Be considerate. The bicycling skills of those participating in RAGBRAI cover the full range of the spectrum. Each rider must look out for someone else, as well as for himself. Be a predictable rider. Don't keep other bicyclists and motorists guessing about what your next move will be. A predictable rider is a safe rider. Be courteous to passing vehicles and other bicyclists. Instead of riding several abreast, go single file and let those behind you pass. Cooperate with RAGBRAI officials. State troopers and other law enforcement personnel will be present at busy intersections. Obey their signals. Also, the RAGBRAI route has been selected for your safety. Please stay on the marked route. Services are not available to you if you are off the route. 9. Exhibit the RIGHT attention. Keep your head up and your ears open. Do not wear radio headphones while riding! Give the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. Pull to the right and stop if you hear a siren. Beware of loose gravel. Trucks carrying sand, gravel and rock often spill some at intersections. Watch for debris on the pavement. It is sometimes necessary for RAGBRAI to take unpaved stretches of road in order to avoid busy highways. Take extra care on unpaved roads, watching for loose gravel, rocks, soft spots, holes and ruts. Avoid wide cracks in the pavement. Narrow bicycle tires can easily get caught in wide cracks. Be especially careful on roadways paved with concrete. Center cracks on concrete roads are dangerous. Look out for railroad tracks and cross them at right angles. There are fewer tracks these days, but there are still rough tracks and some at bad angles. Raise yourself off your seat and stand on your pedals to absorb the shock and lower the center of gravity. Watch out for other riders and let those behind know of your intentions. Angled tracks and low shoulders are major causes of accidents. 10. Ride RAGBRAI in the RIGHT condition Get yourself in good physical shape. RAGBRAI is a ride totaling about 500 miles over seven days. The longest day is about 100 miles. You should be in good shape and capable of riding those distances before you come on the ride. A good way to get ready is to join a local bicycling club. A sports health clinic also can provide you with suggestions for a good conditioning program. Eat and drink frequently. Rather than loading up once in the middle of the day, stop frequently for fluids and food. Carry water with you. Campground Etiquette RAGBRAIers are guests everywhere they go and should treat their hosts with respect. Make sure YOU are a good guest. 1. Don't litter Pick up your own trash in the campground and along the way. 2. Respect the property of others Don't damage fences and crops, and leave campgrounds in better condition than you find them. 3. Keep the campground quiet Most riders want to get a good night's sleep. Please, no noise after 9 p.m. 4. Camp only where directed Local communities go to a great deal of effort to set up the campgrounds. Groups or individuals who camp outside the designated areas create problems for them. Enjoy RAGBRAI and enjoy Iowa! The preceding suggestions have been prepared by The Des Moines Register, the League of Iowa Bicyclists and the Iowa Division of the League of American Wheelmen.