Cycling Safety for Non Drafting & Drafting Triathlon & Road Cycling

As triathletes, we ride a variety of different bikes, surfaces, terrains and events whilst training & racing. Safety is paramount and we have compiled some tips for athletes to stay safe whilst training & competing on the bike. These tips apply for Australian roads and should be modified according to local laws where you are riding.

Non Drafting TT Events

  • Stay left
  • Follow Triathlon Australia’s rules regarding draft zones and blocking relevant to the event (see video below)
  • Be cautious when lowering your head in an ‘aero’ position as this will impair your vision
  • Communicate what you are doing to other athletes
  • Be predictable. Hold your line around corners and avoid swerving

Drafting Triathlon Events or Bunch Road Cycling Events

  • Rotate with the group according to wind direction. Usually you will recover ‘into the wind’ so that the bunch can maintain their pace and get in front of you.
  • Typically you will only be allocated one lane in your direction of travel so remain within the lane & don’t cross the centre line into oncoming traffic
  • Look up the road for obstacles rather than just at the person in front of you’s rear wheel. Call these out to the athletes around you
  • Avoid braking suddenly but keep your hands close to your brakes in case you need to react quickly to a situation
  • Avoid overlapping wheels – your front wheel beside/overlapping someone’s back wheel
  • Communicate what you are doing to other athletes
  • Be predictable. Hold your line around corners and avoid swerving

Off Road (MTB) Events

  • Call out to athletes when passing & indicate which side you will be passing on
  • On single tracks you may have to wait for an opportunity to safely pass
  • Look up the trail for obstacles rather than just at the person in front of you’s rear wheel. Call these out to the athletes around you
  • Communicate what you are doing to other athletes
  • Be predictable. Hold your line around corners and avoid swerving

This list is not exhaustive, but a good reminder or how to safely conduct yourself whilst racing or training with other cyclists.

Further Reading

GPC Squad – Tips For Practicing Bike Handing Skills For Triathlon Training

GPC Squad – Mountain Bike Skills