I’ve had a couple of people express safety concerns to me in the last few days that I want to pass on to the membership.

 

Double Pace Lines in Bike Lanes

 

A citizen who travels often on Williston Road called with a concern about our use of double pace lines in the bike lane on Williston Road.  On the weekends, this road is low to moderate traffic.  When an instance of moderate traffic exists, there may not be a spare lane for motor vehicles to use when passing the group.  When we are using a double pace line, there is NO room for any error on the part of the members of the group or of the motor vehicle operator.  A broken bottle in the path could easily put group members quite suddenly well into the adjacent travel lane.

 

Double pace lines make sense on low traffic four lane roads, and on two lane roads where other vehicles must use the passing lane to safely get by the group; in this case, a single line will actually make a pass much harder because the group will be twice as long.

 

Aerobars in the Pace Line

 

There have been reports of some individuals using aerobars while in the pace line.  This is a dangerous practice and is unacceptable.  If you want to practice use of aerobars, sit off the back of the group.  It is not recommended, but not prohibited, to use them when leading the pace line.

 

Roger Pierce

Gliders Group Captain, Gainesville Cycling Club

http://gccfla.org/