STLRC – Policies
St. Louis Recreational Cyclists (STLRC)
Policies and Procedures
Revised 3/15/2022
General Overview
Persons who become cycling and hiking members of St. Louis Recreational Cyclists (STLRC), the “Club”, are expected to follow certain policies, procedures, and bylaws established by the STLRC.
Club Policies
Each member should familiarize themselves with this information by reading these sections and links to the pages below.
Anti-Harassment Policy
- An anti-harassment policy applies to all membership, volunteers, guests, and event participants.
- Negative conversations or actions about ethnicity, race, sex and sexual orientation, religion, or politics, or other perceived harassment will not be tolerated. Anyone engaging in this conduct will be in violation of the policy and will be subject to suspension or termination of membership privileges.
Dues
- Club dues are due no later than January 1 of each calendar year.
- Dues paid, by existing members, after January 31 of each year will incur a $5 late fee added to the regular dues. New members only pay the current yearly dues fee.
Scheduling Events
- All cycling and hiking events are to be posted on the Club website Calendar no later than 24 hours in advance of the event.
- Events will be canceled if roads or trails are flooded, if it is raining, if the forecast is for continuing rain, or if severe weather warnings or lightning are present.
- Board of Directors meetings are open to all and are to be posted on the Calendar 7 days in advance of the meetings.
Obey the Ride or Hiking Leaders
- Ride and Hiking Leaders will remind participants about Club policies and general event practices.
- Members do not have to stay on an event if they do not feel comfortable with the conditions of the event, or they are not feeling well.
- If you need to leave a ride or hike before completion, make sure to tell the leader you will not be continuing the event.
Group Stops
- Cyclists, stop clear of any intersections,
- Reduce speed in a controlled manner,
- Move completely off the road or trail.
- Hikers, move safely off the trail, in a clearing, out of the way of other hikers.
Accidents
- The group stops completely off the road or bike trail or hiking trail.
- Care for anyone who is injured (call 911 or a Park Ranger, if necessary).
- Ride and Hike Leaders report accident to Insurance.
Zero Tolerance
- Cyclists and Hikers who break safety rules will be asked to leave their event and may be susceptible to disciplinary action.
Policies Specific to Cycling Events
Cycling Leaders
- Educate the cyclists about etiquette and continually remind them of policies for riding as a group.
Cyclists – Read and Understand all Policies Before You Ride
- Helmets are mandatory any time a cyclist is on a bike. They must meet national safety standards (either ANSI or Snell approved).
- Bikes must be in safe working order with two proper working brakes.
- Front and rear flashing lights are recommended.
- Arrive before the start time and leave on time.
- Be self-sufficient – bring water, food, money, cell phone, ID, spare tube (even if you have tubeless tires), pump/CO2, repair kit.
- Dress appropriately. It’s highly suggested that cyclists wear high visibility (yellow or green) clothing for your safety.
- E-Bikes – Class 1 and Class 3 E-Bikes are welcome. Class 2 E-Bikes (those with a throttle to power bike without the pedals) are not allowed on any Club cycling events.
Cycling Etiquette
- Every member has a duty to care about all cyclists on the ride.
- Move completely off the road or trail when stopping.
- Never brake suddenly. Announce your intentions loudly.
- Never allow your front wheel to overlap the rear wheel of the cyclist ahead of you unless you announce yourself and are passing.
- Avoid confrontations with motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
- Give a “thumbs up” and wave thanks to courteous drivers.
Share the Road
- Be courteous to other road or trail users.
- If riding double abreast, and a vehicle is approaching from the rear, move into a single file line to enable the vehicle to pass.
- If a road or trail is busy with traffic or other users, ride in a single line.
- Call out “on your left” before passing, do not startle other cyclists.
- Do not cross the yellow line.
- Do not cut off other cyclists when changing lanes.
- Report belligerent and/or dangerous drivers to the Police.
Obey all roadway Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
- Stop at stop lights, stop signs; obey all regulatory signs.
- Never ride against traffic.
- Yield to pedestrians, enter crosswalks at pedestrian speed.
- Ride right, pass left, let others know you are approaching them.
- Use hand/arm signals when turning right or left; use arm signal when slowing or stopping.
- Announce or point to road hazards to warn other riders. Examples might include sewer grates, manhole covers, oil, gravel, potholes, puddles, standing rainwater.
- Warn others of railroad tracks ahead. Cross the tracks at a right angle, checking for traffic first, and reducing your speed.
Cycling Laws and Guidelines
A summary of bicycling laws in each state is available from The League of American Bicyclists (LAB). The LAB website has information about bike safety, maintenance and good riding habits.
The Missouri Biking Federation suggests guidelines for at Safe and Courteous Group Riding.
Policies Specific to Hiking Events
Hike Leaders
- Educate the hikers about etiquette and continually remind them of policies for hiking as a group.
Hiking Etiquette – from The National Park Service website
Know Your Trail
- Check signage on the trail and follow the correct paths. Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Be mindful of trail conditions. If a trail is too wet and muddy, turn back and save the hike for another day.
Share the Trail
- Announce yourself, offer a friendly “Hello” or head nod to other hikers and trail users.
- If you approach another trail user from behind, announce yourself in a friendly, calm tone and let them know that you wish to pass.
Right of Way
- Hikers coming uphill have the right of way. If you are descending the trail, step aside and give space to the people climbing.
- Hikers yield to horses. Slowly and calmly step off to the downhill side of a trail. If you approach from behind, calmly announce yourself and intentions. Horses may frighten easily, so avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
Protect the Environment
- Be mindful of plants and animals near the trail if you MUST step off.
- Stay on the trail. Don’t step off the trail unless you absolutely must when yielding. Going off trail can damage or kill certain organisms and can damage the ecosystems that surround the trail.
- Leave No Trace. Leave rocks, vegetation and artifacts where and how you find them for others to enjoy.
Wildlife or Other Animals
- Do not disturb or approach wildlife, livestock, or other unfamiliar animals. Keep your distance from any animals you may encounter. Parks may require keeping a certain distance from wildlife, so check park regulations before your visit.
Other useful sources of hiking etiquette are:
Travel tomorrow’s 10 Rules of Hiking
Duchess County’s 10 Rules for Hiking Safety
Bearfoot Theory Trail Etiquette 101: The Basic Rules of Hiking
American Hiking Society The Ten Essentials of Hiking: Ten things you should bring on every hike
