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It happens all the time! Let's review what to do when a traffic light turns yellow as you approach.
  • When approaching a traffic light the lead rider (first in the pace line) should assess the surroundings and announce his/her intentions. If it's green say, "rolling through." If it is red, say, "full stop."
  • If there is time to do it safely, when a traffic signal changes from green to yellow, a group’s lead rider (the first rider in the line) should alert all other riders and come to a full stop.
  • Only if riders cannot safely stop i.e. there is not enough distance to stop in a controlled manner, should they proceed through the yellow light. Assuming we are talking 10 riders or fewer riders, all should follow the lead rider.
  • In cases when any rider feels unsafe crossing including if the light has already turned red, he/she should announce (loud and clear) that he/she is stopping and wait for the green light making sure his/her maneuver does not create a problem for riders behind him/her.
  • The lead rider(s) should wait for others in the group to catch up once the light turns green again.
Keep riding safe.
Multi-Speed Group Rides
Based on recent feedback, we would like to remind all ride leaders of our club safety practices when it comes to dealing with multi groups starting at the same time from the same location. When not done properly there is a risk that groups may get too big to be manageable. If so, it can generate accidents, confusion or road rage from surrounding cars. As a reminder:
  • No one single group should have more that 10 riders including the ride leader. The law in Florida permits a group of 10 riders to proceed together at an intersection after marking a full stop.
  • Ride leaders should discuss together how they will split the groups prior to getting on the road.
  • Starting times should be staggered so that the fastest group leaves first, the second fastest leaves second, etc.
  • When a speed group is too large to ride as a single group and must be broken down into smaller group(s), the ride leaders should explain how the groups will maintain separation from one another if they are using the same route.If a certified ride leader is not available, identify an experienced SMBC rider to lead the other group(s).
  • Groups should not follow each other in a way to risk merging into a single group at stop signs or traffic lights.
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