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STP 2008 Safe Riders!
This year, Ride Refs tried something different: each one picked a rider who displayed exemplary safety skills. Here are the results!
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Dennis Roberton #3095
What Ride Ref Don had to say about Dennis:
"In crowded conditions with lots of cars and bikes several abreast, he signaled loud and clearly to get riders to let up and let a patient turning car cross into a Ft Lewis base entry drive. Friendly and effective."
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Victor Garcia #2395
Kestrel Garcia #2397
What Ride Ref Rebecca had to say about Victor and Kestrel:
"They were great about signaling when passing, then moving back to the right when done passing (one of my big complaints about riders this year was that they wouldn't move right after passing; they would just sort of hang out in the middle of the road, and as a result the crowd would move further and further into the lane of traffic...). The pair also rode very consistently and predictably."
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Paige Garratt #2310
What Ride Ref Ann had to say about Paige:
"I crossed her path a couple of times and she was very predictable as a rider, keeping a consistent line as far to the right as was safe in the conditions, announcing when passing, and she LISTENED! She would hear people coming up behind her, look for them and begin to give them room to pass before they even got to her. She was very observant to her surroundings and didn't force her right of way if it wasn't safe. I was very, very impressed with her and hope that she is representative of future cyclists."
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Brooke Steilling #21
Joe Steilling #20
What Ride Ref Bill had to say about Brooke and Joe:
"In the Auburn area, he was helping a woman whose crank came off. I stopped to help, too, but he actually had the right tools and know-how to do the job."
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John Weller #145
What Ride Ref Leo had to say about John:
"Good hand signals, stopped for lights, points at road hazards for other riders. Seemed to be aware of what was going on around him. I'd ride with that guy on my wheel."
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Paul Farag #681
What Ride Ref Ashley had to say about Paul:
"He made a complete stop at an intersection and properly yielded right of way to a minivan. It's so commendable when people follow the law."
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Amanda Paul #533
What Ride Ref Bret had to say about Amanda:
"She passed me a couple of times and always let me know that she was doing so politely. I saw her do the same with other riders as well. She signaled to get back to the right and generally communicated well with all the riders around her. I spotted her on Sunday morning near Castle Rock when there was a high volume of bike traffic so it was a challenging time."
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Katrina Jensen #2802
What Ride Ref Ali had to say about Katrina:
"She did a great job of calling out 'car back' and communicating with her friend. She even kept everyone around her safe!"
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Chad Alfson #6807
What Ride Ref Robin had to say about Chad:
"It was early morning and not only did he call out his passing but he complimented us for being out there. Flattery gets you everywhere!"
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Erik Cota-Robles #7646
What Ride Ref Emily had to say about Erik:
"I saw him on Flying Wheels and STP and during each event he was courteous and polite to other riders while practicing safe rules of the road. I look forward to riding with more participants like him!"
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Thanks for keeping the STP safe for everyone!
 Goldwing Motorcycle Safety Patrol
Designed as a compliment to the Ride Ref Program, the Goldwing Motorcycle Safety Patrol will discourage unsafe or illegal behavior on the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic through the use of $25 tickets payable to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation. Our purpose is to improve rider behavior and safety on Cascade event rides and to improve relations with communities that our riders pass through.
Goldwings will request that the rider discontinue unsafe/illegal behavior and will give $25 tickets payable to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation for the following infractions:
- Running through a stop sign or red light without stopping (riders do not necessarily have to unclip, but they must come to an obvious momentary stop)
- Passing other bicyclists on the right in a dangerous manner
- Riding more than two abreast
- Crossing a solid centerline
- Public urination or littering
- Not wearing a helmet
Goldwings will also remind riders that use of earphones/headphones or cellphones while riding is not allowed according to Cascade policy. Goldwings should emphasize to cyclists of the danger of using these devices, especially in a large group event where it is essential to hear other nearby riders and vehicles, and to stop using them while on a Cascade event.
Goldwings may take rider bib number to report to club officials for possible further action if the rider is uncooperative.
History
Cascade Bicycle Club promotes and encourages safe riding behavior on our rides and events with written brochures and newsletter articles, online information, classes, safety seminars, and Ride Refs. Our 2008 safety campaign message is "Single File is Safer" and is designed to encourage responsible and safe riding.
This year we are piloting a new Goldwing Safety Patrol, in addition to our Ride Refs program, to place additional emphasis on proper rider behavior. In 2007, a hit-and-run drunk driver injured several cyclists who were riding legally during STP. The resulting community discussion about this crash reflected that many community members were very upset about rider behavior on STP. Specific behaviors listed were riding more than two abreast, running through stop signs, and holding up traffic.
Ride Refs will also be on the course to remind riders about a broader variety of safe riding policies. In addition to the six listed above, Ride Refs will remind riders of our policies of:
- Single File is Safer
- Using voice and hand signals/calling out when passing
- Move off the road when stopping
- Ride right/Pass left
- Do not pass too close/ride too close to another rider
- No headphones/earphones
- Do not hold up more than 5 vehicles
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