Rider Safety
Bicycling carries inherent risks, but riders can minimize the risk by carefully observing rider safety regulations. Please review this page and the linked Share the Road MN site (source of the 8 rules below) carefully, as these rules will form the basis for our expectations for rider behavior on any CVVC ride. Additionally, follow this link to view a Summary of Minnesota Laws Applicable to Biking.
Share the Road MN: This site lists 8 rules that the authors believe will have the greatest effect in increasing cyclist safety. The 8 rules below are copied directly from the website, but please go to the website for further detail on each item and reasoning behind the rule.
ONE "Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted.
TWO Bicyclists should ride on the road, and must ride in the same direction as traffic.
THREE Motorists must at all times maintain a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist.
FOUR Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists.
FIVE Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to each other.
SIX Bicyclists must signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner.
SEVEN Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light.
EIGHT Bicyclists should always wear helmets."
"There are, of course, other Rules of the Road—the Rules presented here are most frequently cited and will have the greatest effect in increasing bicycle safety. There are many excellent guides that describe additional strategies for safe and effective bicycling on streets, roads and highways. Two of the best are the Better Bicycling Fact Sheets of the League of American Bicyclists and the Colorado Bicycling Manual: A Guide for Using Roads and Trails."