Rules of the Road

The Monon Trail lures one into a false sense of complacency. Although the people on the trail are removed from automobile traffic, the trail’s patrons are not exempt from regulations, safety, and just plain good behavior. Creating a bicycle safety guide is tricky. One wants to avoid unhelpful generalities (“Just remember, be a GOOD person”), yet one does not want to bog down the reader with boring specifics either (“Sec. 10. A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that will enable the person who operates the bicycle to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.”) I’m already yawning, and I’m the one who typed the last sentence.

So, here are my top 9 rules of the road. Although they are all important, I have ranked them in decreasing order of likelihood to cause an accident to self or others if ignored. And if you feel I have missed an important rule, please send it to me, and I will include it.

1. Stop or Yield at All Crossings. The Monon Trail is not a closed system; it bissects many public streets, and the cars DO NOT STOP. Accidents occur when bikers barrel through the stop signs without checking for traffic (Two hurt in crash at 16th and Monon Trail). Always stop or yield to cars before crossing. When biking in a group, let people behind you know if the road is safe to cross by announcing, “Clear!” before crossing.
2. Yield to Pedestrians and Skaters. The official posted trail rules clearly identify a yield hierarchy. Essentially, bikers yield to everyone else. This means that if a group of people are blocking the way, and you can’t go around them, SLOW DOWN until you can get past. More importantly, watch out for children who may stroll into oncoming traffic.
3. Keep to the Right. Standard traffic rules on or off the trail state that bikes keep to the right except to pass. When riding, have no more than two people side by side and ALWAYS stay to the right of the painted divider. It just plain bugs me when people cross the line into oncoming traffic. Especially when I am the oncoming traffic.
4. Wear a Helmet. According to the National Safety Council, head injuries cause about two-thirds of all bicycling fatalities. The Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC) estimated that bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by 85%. Bicycle helmets should be as standard as seat belts in cars and yet the CPSC estimates that only 18% of bicyclers wear a helmet. We are going to shift those numbers upwards. Wear a helmet.
5. Announce Your Intent to Pass. This is the most frequently ignored rule of the road, and it is one of the most important. If you need to pass someone, biker, pedestrian, or skater, say, “On the left,” loudly and clearly BEFORE you get to the person. This is incredibly important when passing bikers, who may suddenly move into your path as they try to pass someone; children, who have an unfortunate tendency to meander; and people walking side-by-side, who may be taking over the entire right side of the path. How often do you need to announce yourself? AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY. Practice in a mirror, “on the left, on the left, on the left.” Now please tell the @#!$ power bikers to start saying this.
6. Signal Your Intent to Turn, Stop, or Enter Traffic. Use hand signals to warn people if you are turning, slowing, or stopping. It also helps to verbally state, “Slowing!” or “Stopping!” just in case someone misses your subtle gestures. Furthermore, when re-entering traffic from the side of the path, say, “Coming out!”
7. Keep Yourself Hydrated and Nourished. Bring water. Bring high protein snacks. Bring cash if needed. Drink often and refill your CamelBak, canteen, or water bottle at drink fountains stationed along the trail. It’s gonna be real hot out there. ‘Nuff said.
8. Shield Yourself from the Elements. Wear sunblock. Bring a poncho. Wear sunglasses if needed. Typical stuff.
9. Be a GOOD person. OK, so I lied. I guess I said it after all. Basically, assume that you are setting the example for the rest of the world...or at least the rest of the trail. I want the Monon Milestone Ride to become synonymous with safety and etiquette. I am setting the bar very high for all of you.

Here are additional bicycle safety resources for those who are interested:
Indiana Code 9-21-11 Bicycles and Motorized Bicycles
Ten Safety Tips for Monon Trail Users
Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road