Spring Kickoff – Riding Safely

Warm greetings to the entire MAFW family.  As we kick-off another year of cycling fun, adventure and friendship, it’s important that we put safety first.  Unfortunately, fatalities in traffic crashes involving bicyclists and other cyclists continue to rise. From 2011 to 2020, bicyclist and other cyclist fatalities increased by 38% from 682 in 2011 to 938 in 2020 (source: NHTSA report March 2022).  Many crashes occur because the motorist “didn’t see the cyclist”.

In the spirit of safety first, the MAFW Club will now highlight a specific safety topic each month.  These safety topics will be reinforced by the Ride Leaders during their “safety moment” at start of each ride.  Additionally, these topics will be addressed via the monthly newsletter.

Here are a few actions that YOU can take, that will help make YOU more visible and safer when cycling:

1. Remember our club motto: No One Rides Alone – including the Ride Leader.  IF you are an A or B rider, and attend a C, or C+ pace ride (which happens often), YOU are responsible to ensure that YOU ride with the Ride Leader, so that the Ride Leader is not left alone.
2. Safety in Numbers: riding with a group of cyclists helps YOU be more visible to motorists.
3. Club rules require YOU to wear a bicycle helmet – – Your helmet should meet the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Committee or the Snell Memorial Foundation (N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1), never been dropped, never been worn in a fall or crash, or damaged in any way.  Click these weblinks for additional information:

1. https://helmets.org/standard.htm
2. MIPS vs. WaveCel: Which Is Better and Do You Even Need Them?

1. Clothing: it is highly recommended that YOU wear brightly colored clothing in order to make YOU more visible to motorists.  Dark colors are not appropriate.
2. Lights: it is highly recommended that YOU use both headlights and taillights on your bike to make YOU more visible – in daylight and at night.  Modern LED rechargeable lights are very visible from up to ¼-mile.  Many cyclists also use the Garmin Varia radar system, which alerts both cyclist and motorists.
3. Audible Signal: NJ law (39:4-11) requires that a bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle.
4. Mirrors: it is highly recommended that YOU use a mirror (handlebar type, or other)
5. Be predictable: YOU have a responsibility to both yourself, fellow cyclists, and motorists to be predictable in your actions.  Use hand signals, call out “on your left” when passing another cyclist.  Wave to motorists, especially at intersections and drivelanes, to get their attention – – and say “HELLO”!

Here are links to reference materials:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety

https://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/bike.html

https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/regulations.shtm