The specter of riders in the middle of the road. We’ve received complaints about it and we are determined to do something about it.

We ride on busy roads. Many of these roads lack shoulders; few have dedicated bike lanes. Cars and trucks speed by. Even in the best of circumstances, it’s not uncommon for vehicles  to pass uncomfortably close to us. Despite these conditions members ride in the middle of the road, even after they have been given a warning by the Ride Leader. This behavior goes against club practice, violates the law and endangers everyone on the ride.

Unfortunately, riding in the middle of the road has reached epidemic proportions this season.  To address this growing problem, the Club is encouraging Ride Leaders to be much more assertive in  enforcing policies on riding single file. This includes:

• Speaking to riders who continually ride in the middle of the road
• Requiring riders who persist to leave the ride
• Reporting unsafe riders to the Rides Captain

It’s Club Practice to Ride Single File*

• It’s safer.
• It’s more efficient.
• It’s the law.
• Motorists appreciate the predictability of a steady, straight line of cyclists, especially when passing.

On the roads we ride, there is limited opportunity to ride side-by -side. As soon as you begin to impede the flow of traffic, you must resume riding single file. In New Jersey, traffic is defined as one car. When a car approaches, someone riding in the middle of road must squeeze to the right – back into the line of riders. This can be  dangerous to the entire group. Where is the person merging in? Is there enough room? Are those riding behind ready to slow down? Merging compromises the safety of everyone in the group – including the person trying to merge.

In addition, a rider in the middle of the road may prevent the rider on the right from moving to the left to avoid the many obstacles on our roads. Finally, a rider in the middle of the road encourages road rage and reinforces driver anger at cyclists. It’s bad for BTCNJ – and all cyclists.

It’s the Law

Section 39:4-14.2 of NJ Law requires “every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway to ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable… Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway...shall ride in single file except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.”

How to Ride Single File*

• Keep proper distance behind the rider ahead.
• Focus on what is going on around you! Do NOT stare at the wheel in front of you. Look at the road 2-3 riders ahead.
• Do not coast! Try to spin all the time. Control your speed by sitting up, feathering your brakes and/or slowing your cadence by soft pedaling. Otherwise, riders behind may think you are slowing/stopping.
• As the line picks up speed (e.g., going downhill), make more space.

Protect Your Front Wheel*

• Visualize a halo around your front wheel—keep that space clear
• Never overlap your front wheel with the rear wheel of rider in front.

As autumn approaches and the weather cools, it will be a great time to ride – and a great time to focus on riding safely. This Fall let’s focus on riding single file and as far to the right as practicable. Please let Ride Leaders and Sweeps know about riders who persist in riding in the middle of the road and make you feel unsafe. If you are one who rides in the middle of the road, expect to hear from a Ride Leader and, if the behavior continues, to be required to leave the ride.

Stamp Out the Specter of Riding in the Middle of the Road!

*Ride Smart session 2

• New Jersey Bicycle Laws -- Bicycle specific entries from NJ state traffic law (section 39).
• New York Bicycle Laws -- Bicycle specific entries from NY state traffic law.