Safe cycling is the best way to protect yourself from injury during the Pedal Safari journey. We make every possible effort to maximize safety before and during the Pedal Safari ride. In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, throughout the expedition there will be:

· En route safety check-ups to monitor the group's safety and suggest individual improvements.

· First aid kits, radios and cell-phones in each support vehicle.

· Brightly colored and highly visible bicycling clothing will make you visible to motorists and other road users, thus minimizing the likelihood of a collision or of being run off the road.

Signaling to other cyclists and motorists to indicate clearly what you intend to do or to point out a potential hazard on the road can greatly reduce the chances of accidents. STAY ALERT and AWARE.

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General Information for Safe Riding

80% of all bicycle accidents do not involve cars; contrary to popular belief, only 20% of bicycle accidents involve motor vehicles. The primary cause is of accident is rider error.

What is the best way to prevent accidents and keep out of harms way?

· Be an informed, aware cyclist. Ride single file; especially in high-traffic urban areas and on major roadways, riding abreast of other cyclists increases the risk of an accident. If a vehicle passes too close to the traffic-side cyclist, s/he may be forced to swerve, causing both cyclists to go down.

· Communicate with other cyclists: when passing (in East Africa, where they drive on the left side of the road, pass only on the right, never on the left) call out "on your right." Not only is this courteous, but the cyclist you are passing may be about to swerve right to avoid a pothole, which would force you out into the road.

· If there is a pothole, grate, glass, or other debris in the road, point it out with your hand and / or call out "glass" / "hole," etc. This will warn those behind you about obstacles they can't see.

· Drafting is dangerous: though it can save energy, drafting is a major cause of accidents. Unless you have confidence in the experience of the other rider(s) with whom you engage in drafting, stay on the safe side and avoid it.

Coexisting with Traffic:

Cyclists must share the roads with cars, trucks, and motorcycles. As much as you might prefer riding on a smooth, separate, well-paved bike path stretching from Dar es Salaam to Kampala, the reality is that cyclists use the same roads most other motorized traffic. This makes it imperative that we learn and practice the safe cycling techniques and behaviors detailed in this section. Safe riding is the courteous, legal, and responsible way to maximize your own security on the road.

Traffic Tips:

The basic rule is be predictable!

Do not zip in and out of traffic, run red lights, hop curbs, or try to out-sprint motorists.

When turning, signal and get in the proper lane. If the intersection is busy, wait your turn. When riding on streets with parked cars, hold your line. Don't dip in toward the curb when there is an empty space. Moving to the curb takes you out of sight of approaching cars. You'll surprise vehicles when you swerve back out into the road, putting yourself in danger.

Communication with Fellow Bikers:

Pass other riders only on the right (or vice-versa in America). Make your intention clear. Utter "on your right" every time you pass. If you see a vehicle looming in your third-eye mirror, tell the riders in front of you. Yell, "car back!" or "truck back!" Likewise, holler "car up" or "walker up" when a vehicle or pedestrian is coming from in front of you. When you are in front of other riders, point down at pieces of glass, pot holes and other obstacles and signal to indicating you are stopping or turning. Ride at a safe distance (at least 2 bike lengths) from the cyclist ahead of you.

Communication with Drivers:

Make drivers aware of your presence as would another vehicle, (in a non-confrontational manner, of course). At intersections, make eye contact with drivers to make sure they become aware of your presence.

If you doubt a car has noticed you, let it go ahead even if you have the right-of-way. You will also benefit motorist / cyclist relations; disprove the assumption that all cyclists are inconsiderate, law-breaking ruffians. Helmeted but vulnerable, you will always lose against steel.

If a driver waves you through an intersection (e.g. if you're making a turn), make sure that this is the only vehicle you have to watch out for. A car in another lane may pose a threat.

Sharing the Road:

When there are cars behind you, make a motion that indicates you are aware of their presence (such as "Hold") and then wave them on at the appropriate time to pass. Pull over if more than three cars are trailing behind you. On city streets, or when it feels unsafe to be squeezed over to the right side of the road, don't be afraid to take the entire lane! It may be disconcerting to have a car honk at you because you are in its path, but it is more dangerous to have one whiz by within inches of your flesh. If you ride too far over to the right (or left in America), drivers may try (unsuccessfully) to squeeze by you or not see you at all because you are in their blind spot. You also run the risk of being "doored" by a parked car when riding in this position. (One tip for avoiding this: look in the side-view mirror of the car as you approach; you will be able to see if anyone is inside and if they are about to open the door in your path).

More Safe Cycling Tips:

· Check your third-eye mirror frequently. If you see a car approaching from behind, decide whether they have ample room to pass you. (You can quickly judge the amount of room you have by looking at the distance between the car's right tire and the white line.) Although the third-eye mirror is an important safety device, it does not replace looking over your shoulder. Just as with car mirrors, the distance of a vehicle in your mirror
may be less than it seems.

· When stopping, move as far to the edge of the shoulder of the road as you can. If you stop to talk to a friend, eat a snack, or to appreciate a landscape, take yourself out of harm's way.

· In general, trust your instincts; if you feel unsafe in traffic, stop, get off your bike if need be, wait for things to calm down, or call for an Support and Gear vehicle (SAG).

· While being an aware, safe cyclist, remember to be courteous and pleasant. When you treat other motorists and road users with respect, chances are they will do they same to you and fellow cyclists behind and ahead of you.

Railroad Tracks and Cattle Guards:

To cross tracks safely, you must slow down and cross with your tires as perpendicular to the tracks as possible. Crossing at a slight angle can catch your tires in the groove of the track, causing a fall.

Braking:

· Don't brake continuously on a long downhill stretch, as your rims can get too hot and your tires may explode. Instead, brake continuously on and off.

· When stopping suddenly, use both front and rear brakes: For gradual braking, start by squeezing the rear brake first (the rear brake only has 25% of your stopping power), then gradually add the front. You can fly over your handlebars when your front wheel locks up as a result of suddenly stopping by use of only the front brakes. Getting your weight back and down off your seat and over your rear wheel on steep down hills will also help to increase your control.

· When approaching corners, break before you begin to turn. This is especially important at high speeds and in wet conditions.

· In wet conditions, brake gradually. Braking suddenly may cause skidding and / or an accident.

Rain:

In eastern Africa, tropical storms are common throughout the month of August. Riding in the rain can be challenging and takes planning, yet it can also be fun (and refreshing!) if you are prepared for it. You will get wet no matter what you wear, so it's more important to wear something that will stay warm than something you think will keep you dry. Avoid cotton for wet weather. Bring a shirt of very light wool or Polypro-type material.

· Wet brakes and tires increase the amount of time needed for stopping, so SLOW DOWN and think ahead.

· Always brake in a straight line - before negotiating a turn - and pedal through turns to increase stability.

· Never ride through a puddle unless you know what is at the bottom.

· Manhole covers, grates, anything metal, and many painted road surfaces are like ice when wet. Don't turn, brake, or aggressively accelerate on these surfaces. Your tires may skid, and you may go down.

Those of you with racing bikes need to be more careful. Here is one of the few times when a mountain bike or heavier touring bike has a distinct advantage. Try to anticipate what you will need to do and do it slowly. A quick turn or jerk could land you on the pavement. Take a very little amount of air out of your tires to increase road contact, but not so much that you will get compression flats. There's nothing like changing a flat tire in the rain.

Remember that motorists' vision is lessened in wet weather, so wear bright clothing, use your lights, and ride extra-defensively.

If there is lightning nearby, DON'T RIDE. Wait it out away from your bicycle and any other metal objects and away from open water. Try not to be the tallest feature in the area, and don't stand under a large tree or on an exposed high place. In the event that there is nearby lightning during the Pedal Safari ride, the SAV will come and pick you up.

Oil spills:

These are as slippery as icy surfaces; if you can avoid them by going around them all together, do it. Stop if necessary to and walk across them.

Safety Gear and Clothing:

Helmet:

These are compulsory for Pedal Safari riders, so buy one before you buy a bicycle and pack one before you pack a bicycle! You will be required to wear a helmet at all times, even for the shortest rides. Thus you might as well get used to your helmet during practice time if you haven’t already. Make sure your helmet is strapped on properly, meaning tight enough: if it is too loose it won't do you much good in a crash. It should be as far forward on your head as is comfortable. If you crash and hit your head, always get a new helmet, even if the damage is not visible, as helmets lose their protective ability after a heavy impact. (Some helmet manufacturers will even replace your helmet for free after a crash.) When purchasing a new helmet, consider weight, ventilation, and color (light colors increase visibility and reduce heat absorption).

Third-Eye Mirror:

Another required piece of Pedal Safari safety equipment, third-eye mirrors can be life-savers. They allow you to know in a split-second what is behind you. Don't count on hearing cars coming or looking back in an emergency. Mirrors are much easier and safer because with practice you will be able to check your mirror by moving your eyes, without having to move your head. You will not be allowed to ride without one, so it is advisable that you begin practicing now.

Handlebar mirrors also work, and are acceptable in place of a third-eye mirror for the Pedal Safari ride. Some riders find them less awkward than third-eye mirrors.

Reflectors:

Reflectors should be attached to your wheels, pedals, and on the front and back of your bike. Although they are not required, we STRONGLY recommend reflective vests. We won't be riding at night, but early morning departures are always a possibility if the day is going to be very hot or very long. In any case, reflectors increase daytime visibility as well. Also bring lights if you have them (for tunnels, fog, etc.) and wear bright clothing - it can make an enormous difference. The sooner a car sees you the better. Remember, the last thing many drivers expect to see is a cyclist on country roads.

Keeping all this in mind you are sure to have a safe, trouble-free and enjoyable Pedal Safari adventure!

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