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The safety of all ride participants is a priority for the National MS Society. For your safety, the following new initiatives are being implemented for all 2008 Bike MS events.
- The minimum age to participate is 12 years old at the time of the ride. For the Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride 2008, riders must be 12 by May 3, 2008.
- Equipment and accessories attached to a bicycle for transporting children and/or pets are not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, bicycle trailers, Tag-Along or Trail-a-Bike products, and child carrier seats.
- Click here to view the Official Ride Rules.
FREE BIKE INSPECTIONS
All participants’ bikes should be inspected at a Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride Official Bike Store. Bikes will be inspected at no cost. Once your bike has passed the inspection requirements, an official inspection label will be placed on your bike, not on your bike frame. While not required, bike inspections are strongly encouraged annually or every 2,000 miles and provide free labor during the ride. Inspections will begin on April 1, 2008. If you need mechanical assistance during the ride and you do not have an official inspection sticker, you will be charged for all parts and labor.
GROUP CYCLING ETIQUETTE
It is your responsibility to practice safe cycling skills, especially when cycling in a group setting. The following are tips on riding in a group. Download the Rider Manual for additional safety information.
- Riding safely in large groups requires a mature and positive frame of mind.
- Riding safely in large groups requires communicating with other riders around you. Call hazards, call when passing, and listen to others. Give hand signals when stopping or turning. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all group-riding communication etiquette.
- Recognize that in a large group there will be riders who ride at your pace. If you have not been scheduled to ride with similar-paced cyclists, find these riders at the start through open dialogue. No matter what your pace is, do not be in a hurry at the start. This is a tour, not a race! If you purposely ride the first 5 miles at a slower, controlled pace, you will find a comfort zone.
- Passing on a bicycle is a two-way event. The passer and the passee both have responsibilities that will make the pass safe and friendly. The passers have the responsibility to ease up as they approach and wait for safe conditions to pass. The passees have the responsibility to listen, hold a steady speed and line, and go to single file to make room for the passers to get around.
- Maintain your personal space by avoiding proximity to other bikes while riding in a big group. Ride smoothly and predictably. Ride in a straight line. Do not weave. Avoid sudden sideways movements.
- Be considerate of slower and faster riders around you.
- Be careful, signal, and let others know when you’re slowing or stopping.
- Listen and respect the ride marshals, medics and law enforcement officers – they are looking out for your safety.
- Common group-riding mistakes include riding in pacelines when you are inexperienced with the general process, overlapping the wheel of the rider in front of you, riding more than two abreast and crossing over the center stripe. The bottom line is to ride friendly and respect the communities that we ride through. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is a fundraiser to find a cure for MS, not a race!
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