Team HOTT
 Houstonians on Tandems Together

Safety Rules of the Road

1. Always wear a helmet.
2. Pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye down the road.
3. In Texas, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Obey traffic laws including red lights and stop signs, lane markers and always ride in the same direction as traffic.
4. Use tail and front lights for improved visibility, esp. in low-light conditions.
5. Signal your intentions to cars and other cyclists with hand signals and verbally (turning, slowing, stopping, passing, or changing your line of travel). 
6. Ride predictably and be aware of cars and cyclists both ahead of you AND behind you. 
   - In group rides, never stop or swerve abruptly unannounced – never pass on the right or ride more than two abreast.
   - If you’re not accustomed to riding in groups, stay in the back. 
7. Be careful passing parked cars.
8. Point out hazards to the cyclists behind you. 
9. Make sure your bicycle is safe before riding – check quick release levers, brakes, tires, and couplers.
10. No headphones, earbuds, or portable speakers (exception – tandem communicators covering only one ear). 
11. Don’t be a jerk on the road! Treat other cyclists and motorists as you would like to be treated.