Tennessee River Basin

Rules of the Road

1. Always wear a helmet.
2. Avoid using earbuds while riding, as awareness of your surroundings at all times is crucial to your safety as well as the safety of those around you.
3. Keep an eye out for vehicles while riding and be considerate to vehicles trying to pass.
4. Obey all traffic laws, which means stopping at all stop signs and traffic lights.
5. Ride no more than two abreast.
6. Ride on the shoulder or in a bike lane whenever possible.
7. If you need to stop while riding, please get completely off the road.
8. When crossing train tracks, try to have your wheels perpendicular to the tracks and don't turn your handlebar when riding across. Hold your line until you're on the other side. Never ride parallel with the tracks when crossing, as bike tires are easily caught in the gaps next to the rails.
9. Control your speed on fast descents by feathering your brakes, and always brake before entering sharp turns (as opposed to a sudden hard squeeze in the middle of a turn).
10. Communicate with other cyclists when riding as a group. When turning, signal with your hand and tell everyone which direction you're turning. Announce when you're slowing down or coming to a stop. Call out hazards in the road.
11. Be predictable. Ride in a straight line without zig-zagging, and ride at a consistent speed without sudden accelerations or decreases in speed.