An Incident Report form must be completed immediately after an accident occurs by completing this online form. This holds true whether the person involved is a participant or a spectator, or whether or not you feel the incident will result in a claim.
Although you may not have sufficient information to initially answer all questions, it is important that the form be completed as fully as possible at the time of the accident. Do not delay completing the report form; an incomplete form is better than none at all. Be certain to include your name and daytime telephone number where indicated on the form.
The form contains sections to capture information regarding injury to persons, damage to property, and accidents involving autos. If you have any questions or need assistance regarding the completion of the Incident Report form, please call American Specialty at 1-800-566-7941.
IN ADDITION, IN CASE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO A PARTICIPANT OR A SPECTATOR, it is important that you immediately notify American Specialty by calling 1-800-566-7941 (if after standard business hours, simply follow the automated instructions for emergency claims reporting). This hotline is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Questions? Please e-Mail ridecoordinator@wabonline.org
When approaching an intersection where you intend to make a left turn, you might be reluctant to move out into the lane to “take the road”, especially if you see a string of cars coming up from behind.
When this happens you can find yourself somewhat “boxed in”. The motorists may not know what your intentions are because you are not positioned to turn left. A motorist who wants to turn right may cross in front of you - not good!
To avoid getting in this situation, slow down well ahead of the intersection and watch for your opportunity when there is a break in the traffic to move over to the left-center of the lane. Signal your intentions to turn left by extending your left arm. Cars turning right can now safely move around you to the right. It is also helpful to have an experienced rider in the back of the group who can more over and signal the left turn intention.
When you run off the pavement on Jolly Pond Road, your gut reaction is to get back onto it as quickly as possible. Usually, that’s a bad move. This panel depicts your intended path of your front wheel when you panic and don’t think clearly. The problem is you’re trying to cross the pavement edge at a very shallow angle. 
Because of the shallow approach angle, your front tire can’t climb and roll over the pavement edge. Instead, your tire sidewall will scrub hard against the pavement edge, forcing your front wheel into a sharp right turn. That pitches your body down and to the left— usually into the middle of the travel lane. The next panel shows you how to avoid this common crash. 
To get back onto the pavement, continue to roll along on the shoulder until you’ve slowed to a comfortable speed. Then make your front wheel cross the edge of the pavement as close to a 90- degree angle as you can. The urge to get back on the pavement quickly is powerful, so this save is counterintuitive and should be practiced regularly. In this section we will provide bicycling skills and safety tips. A good source for bicycling safety and skills information can be found on the website of the League of American Bicyclists. Here you will find a wealth of information and resources. The LAB also offers "smart cycling" classes.
Click on one of the articles shown on the left for some other tips. If you have any suggestions for cycling safety or skills tips to include on this page, please email webmaster@wabonline.org.
Sometimes good intentions cause bad things to happen. In this perfect paceline (evenly spaced, slightly staggered left-right-left), the last rider hears a car behind and believes it’s necessary to warn the others. So far, so good. But the well-intentioned warning could create disorder at the worst possible moment if not all riders know how to ride a paceline correctly. 
Hearing “car back!,” one of the riders reduces pedal pressure—a completely unneccesary and thoughtless move (often made worse by the shout “slowing!”) The rider behind taps the brakes, and the accordion effect forces the next rider to brake hard. The last rider now has the interesting choice of either locking up the brakes or swerving around the chaos in front. 
The last rider decides to swerve around the bunch. Unfortunately, the car he warned the others about is approaching fast. Now the well-being of all riders depends completely on the skill of the driver. It’s a worst-case scenario, but it could happen. Lesson: don’t reduce pedal pressure when you hear “car back.” Or “car up,” for that matter. Just keep riding! The Williamsburg Area Bicyclists sponsors club rides where members and visitors come together and ride a designated “route” in the Williamsburg area. These rides are classified by difficulty (both pace and distance). Ride leaders provide the routes in the form of “cue sheets” and strive to facilitate safe and enjoyable experiences for all participants.
These articles highlight valuable bicycle safety topics and/or skills. If you have any suggestions for additional topics please let us know!
This comprehensive Cycling Route Guide features 26 Bike Routes (Including rides on the new Virginia Capital Trail) with full color professionally designed maps
Click HERE or on the image above for details and order information
If you are an adult family member of an existing WAB Family Membership, you are entitled to get your own username/password to log in to use the Message Board or other Members Only Features. All you need is the username and member number of the current primary family member and then fill out this form. Further instructions are found on the form. It may take a day or two to process. Questions? email webmaster@wabonline.org
