On Climate Ride events, safety is our #1 priority and we do everything we can to make our trips as safe as possible. Please familiarize yourself with the safety information below for our bicycling and hiking events.

Cycling Events

Please note: the roads we explore on our biking trips are not closed to traffic, so it’s extremely important to ride safely and follow all traffic signs and laws. Any Climate Rider deemed to be riding in an unsafe manner may be asked to leave the event.

Below are rules and guidelines for participating in our bike ride events.

We will go over this information during the mandatory safety talk before your trip begins.

  1. We require that you always wear a helmet when you’re on your bike. No exceptions.
  2. Always be aware of your surroundings and make sensible choices.
  3. Always ride single-file. No exceptions.
  4. If there is a serious medical emergency, dial 911. For minor situations, the phone number for ride staff is located on your cue sheet. Please report emergencies to our staff immediately.
  5. If you need to stop along the road for any reason, pull completely off the pavement and be visible to cars coming from either direction. Do not stop on a curve, at the top of a hill or anywhere you may not be visible to approaching traffic.
  6. Ride predictably, and in a straight line. Avoid excessive weaving back and forth.
  7. Stop at all red lights and at all stop signs.
  8. At the beginning of the day, we will let cyclists go in blocks of 10-15 so that we aren’t all together in one large group. Please be extra cautious during the first 5 miles of your first day until riders are more spread out and you get your bearings.
  9. You will be given cue sheets (directions) that list every turn and mileages on the route. Follow these, and not any GPS devices, in order to stay on route. Each turn is marked with signage to reduce the possibility of getting lost. You will also be given a map clip to attach the cue sheet to your handlebar. The cue sheets include emergency contact information if needed.
  10. Communicate with your fellow cyclists and alert them with standard biking terms like ‘Car back!’ and ‘On your left!’ Point out hazards in the roadway to cyclists behind you.
  11. Be a conscious cyclist. Do not engage in “road rage” with vehicles on the road or other cyclists. Practice patience and take deep breaths if situations occur on the road.
  12. Cooperate with ride leaders and staff at all times.
  13. Drink lots of water, eat lots of snacks, and wear sunscreen.
  14. Have your ID, cash, and insurance info with you at all times.
  15. Support vehicles will patrol the route. You can stop a support vehicle for assistance, for food/water, or to shuttle to the next stop. Support vehicles carry extra snacks, water, sunscreen, bike tools, first aid, and other supplies.
  16. Our leader staff has comprehensive information on local hospitals, police, fire, and other important emergency information. All of our leader staff is required to have current certifications in CPR/First Aid/AED, with many of them holding advanced certifications like Wilderness First Responder. We will have a designated first aid vehicle, as well as a first aid table set up in camp. Both the vehicle and table are well-stocked with first aid supplies.
  17. We do not give out medication, including over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, Benadryl, or acetaminophen. Please bring your own supplies or ask your fellow cyclists.
  18. We will have several bike mechanics that patrol the route during the day and provide assistance to participants on the road. They carry spare tubes, tires, and other general bike parts. If your bike has specific or hard-to-find parts, please bring extras with you to the ride. Before coming on our cycling trips, you should know the basics of bike repair including how to change a tire. The mechanics will also set up a bike station in camp for repairs in the evening and morning. We do not charge for bike repair services, but you are responsible to pay for all bike parts used to repair your bike. You can use cash or credit card.

Stay Visible

Be safe, be seen! It is very important to be visible to vehicles while out on the road. High visibility and reflective clothing in addition to front and rear lights can greatly increase your visibility while riding. Mirrors attached to either your bike or helmet are safe ways to check to see if traffic is approaching from behind.

Left Turns

If you are turning left, use the left turn lane. If you are not comfortable with this, use crosswalks and traffic lights to get across intersections. Watch for cars turning right – drivers turning right generally check only for cars, not pedestrians or cyclists. Using hand signals is a great way to communicate your intentions to vehicles or other cyclists.

Control Your Speed

Many cycling accidents can be avoided by controlling your speed.

  • Use front and rear brakes simultaneously. Using only front brakes could send you over the handlebars.
  • On long or steep downhills, pumping your brakes will keep them from overheating or locking up.
  • Use extra caution in downhill corners, where there can be gravel, potholes, or unseen obstacles.

Hiking Events

Our hiking events are led by expert guides that will go over specific wilderness safety guidelines before the trip departs and on-going as necessary during the trip. Safety considerations change based on the day’s conditions and the length and difficulty of each day’s hike.