1. The RIGHT stuff.

Keep your bicycle in good repair.  It is especially important to make sure your brakes work well.

2. The RIGHT gear.

Wear a protective helmet. It is estimated that 85 % of bicycling
accidents result in injury to the face or head.

Wear bright clothing to be noticed.

At night, wear light-colored clothing and have a bright headlight
and taillight. 

3. The RIGHT communications.

Signal turns and stops. The law says you must, but this point can't be emphasized enough. Most accidents involve two or more bicycles and most are the result of riders not letting others know of their intentions.

Sound off when passing. Use phrases such as "on your left," "on your right," or "coming through the middle."

4. The RIGHT riding.

When stopping let those behind know of your plans. Make sure no bicycles or motor vehicles are immediately behind you when you stop. Stop at the right edge of the roadway and immediately move to the shoulder. Stay clear of the roadway, and park completely off of the roadway to make repairs, rest, visit, etc.  Stopping is especially dangerous at the crest of a hill or on a curve, so be careful.

Don't weave. Ride in a straight line to make it easier for those riding behind you.

Don't draft. Drafting (similar to a pace-line) in a crowd is dangerous to yourself and others around you.

Ride to the right. Leave room for others to pass on your left.

When turning, turn left from the center of the roadway, turn right from along the curb or shoulder, and stay to the right

5. The legal RIGHT.

Obey traffic laws. In Iowa, bicyclists enjoy the same rights as motorists.  In accepting those rights, bicyclists also assume the responsibilities for riding in a safe and legal manner by:

• stopping completely at stop signs.

• obeying yield signs.  

• not crossing yellow lines in your lane.

• riding to the right.

• signaling for turns.

• not cutting corners.

• riding in a respectable manner.

6. The RIGHT frame of mind.

Stay alert and use your brain when you ride. You must be constantly thinking and aware of what's going on around you.

7. The RIGHT abilities

Do NOT drink alcohol and ride.

8. The RIGHT attitude

Be considerate. The bicycling skills of those participating cover the full range of the spectrum. Each rider must look out for someone else, as well as for himself.

Be a predictable rider. Don't keep other bicyclists and motorists guessing about what your next move will be. A predictable rider is a safe rider.

Be courteous to passing vehicles and other bicyclists. Instead of riding several abreast, go single file and let those behind you pass.

9. The RIGHT attention.

Keep your head up and your ears open. Do not wear radio headphones while riding!

Give the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. Pull to the right and stop if you hear a siren.

Beware of loose gravel and watch for debris on the pavement. Trucks carrying sand, gravel and rock often spill some at intersections. It is sometimes necessary to take unpaved stretches of road in order to avoid busy highways. Take extra care on unpaved roads, watching for loose gravel, rocks, soft spots, holes and ruts.

Avoid wide cracks in the pavement. Narrow bicycle tires can easily get caught in wide cracks. Be especially careful on roadways paved with concrete. Center cracks on concrete roads are dangerous.

Look out for railroad tracks and cross them at right angles. There are fewer tracks these days, but there are still rough tracks and some at bad angles. Raise yourself off your seat and stand on your pedals to absorb the shock and lower the center of gravity. Unclip from your pedals as you prepare to cross railroad tracks. Watch out for other riders and let those behind know of your intentions. Angled tracks and low shoulders are major causes of accidents.