Safety Information

Ride Safe – Ride Smart – RIDE RIGHT!

1. The RIGHT Stuff
   • Keep your bicycle in good repair, especially the brakes.
2. The RIGHT Gear
   • Wear a certified 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 use a bright headlight and taillight. Better yet, avoid riding at night on RAGBRAI.
3. The RIGHT Communication
   • Signal turns and stops. It’s the law and prevents accidents.
   • Sound off when passing with phrases like “on your left,” “on your right,” or “coming through the middle.”
4. The RIGHT Riding
   • When stopping, signal and vocalize your intentions and move to the shoulder.
   • Ride in a straight line and avoid weaving.
   • Don’t draft in a crowd or behind vehicles.
   • Ride to the right to allow others to pass on your left.
   • Turn left from the center of the road and right from the curb or shoulder.
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:
   • stop at stop signs
   • obey yield signs
   • stay in your lane
   • signal for turns
   • ride respectfully.
6. The RIGHT Frame of Mind
   • Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
   • Pace yourself; RAGBRAI is not a race.
7. The RIGHT Abilities
   • Do not drink alcohol and ride.
8. The RIGHT Attitude
   • Be considerate and predictable.
   • Be courteous to passing vehicles and other bicyclists. Instead of riding several abreast, go single file and let those behind you pass.
   • Cooperate with RAGBRAI officials. State troopers and other law enforcement personnel will be present at busy intersections. Obey their signals.
   • Stay on the marked route. Services are not available to you if you are off the route.
9. The RIGHT Attention
   • Keep your head up and ears open; do not wear headphones.
   • Give right-of-way to emergency vehicles.
   • Watch for loose gravel, debris, and wide cracks in the pavement.
   • Cross railroad tracks at right angles and be cautious.
10. The RIGHT Condition
    • Get in good physical shape before RAGBRAI.
    • Eat and drink frequently, carrying water with you.

Crossing Railroad Tracks

RAGBRAI will cross many railroad tracks during the course of the week.  Here are some tips on safely crossing the tracks.

Operation Lifesaver offers bicyclists six tips for safety near train tracks:

• CROSSING TRACKS ON A BICYCLE REQUIRES CAUTION AND EXTRA ATTENTION! Narrow wheels can get caught between the rails. If possible, walk – don’t ride – across. Always cross at a 90-degree angle.
• USE ONLY DESIGNATED RAILROAD CROSSINGS. The only legal and safe place to cross railroad tracks is at a designated public crossing with a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate. Crossing at any other location is trespassing and illegal.
• TURN OFF MUSIC AND REMOVE EARPHONES AT ALL RAIL CROSSINGS. Music can be a deadly distraction near the tracks – preventing you from hearing an approaching train.
• WET TRAIN TRACKS CAN BE SLIPPERY. Dismount and walk your bike across the tracks.  Step over the tracks – not on them – to avoid slipping.
• WATCH OUT FOR THE SECOND TRAIN. Wait after the first train passes until you can see clearly in both directions.
• IF YOU SEE A TRAIN COMING, WAIT! Flashing lights or a lowering gate means a train is approaching. Do not proceed until the gates go completely up and the lights go off. It is illegal to go around lowered gates, whether on a bike, on foot or in a vehicle.

Driver Support

Driver Safety

Here are some important tips and information for RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Drivers:

1. Be sure to read all available information from the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding operating buses, trucks and motorhomes in Iowa.
2. Attend the RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Drivers Meeting during the RAGBRAI Expo on the opening Saturday, before RAGBRAI starts.
3. Stay off the bicycle route.  Support vehicles will have a different route to the next overnight town.  Follow the RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Routes, do not create your own.  GPS, MapQuest and State Maps are great tools, but you should follow the RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Route.  GPS systems might guide you on roads that have bridges out or that are closed for RAGBRAI routing.  The Support Vehicle Route will keep you away from the bike route and will guide you on a path that is suitable for all vehicles.  The Support Vehicle Route is also supported, in case you have mechanical troubles.
4. Participating in RAGBRAI as a support vehicle driver could be addictive. (You may catch the RAGBRAI bug like everyone else.
5. Make sure you check in with the Information Center at every overnight town. This helps your group find out where you’re camping, and also gives the Information Center your location in case of emergencies.
6. Please be courteous. You are a guest in the community and should act like one.  Please keep in mind that the people helping you in these towns are volunteers!
7. Turn your generators off when they’re not needed. It is hard to enjoy the great outdoors with the fumes and noise of multiple generators.
8. Be patient. There will be lines everywhere you go, even when you’re driving.
9. Be careful. When driving a large straight truck or pulling a trailer, be especially aware of what or who is behind or beside your vehicle.
10. Overhead clearance is critical. Remember, you may have a bike rack on top of your vehicle that could hit tree branches or signs.
11. Share. You are sharing camping sites with more than 10,000 bikers. Give everyone his/her space.
12. Be neat. Encourage your group to pick up after themselves. Have garbage bags on hand for trash. Before you leave in the morning, walk your area. You’ll find the misplaced billfold, watch, sunglasses and bike computer. Your group will appreciate your efforts.
13. Always buckle up and don’t drink alcoholic beverages if you’re going to be driving.
14. Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest the night before driving so you stay sharp. Drowsiness can lead to becoming distracted and inattentive.

Have a safe and fun trip!