Riding tips: Downtown Las Vegas is a great place to explore by bike. Whether you’ve been cycling for years or this is your first time on a bike since middle school, taking these few steps will help make your RTC Bike Share experience even better.
And for folks out there in their cars, if you see your neighbor out on a bike, say hello and give them 3 feet for safety. It’s the law and well, it’s just nice.
Before your ride
Bring a helmet
You should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. If you don’t have a helmet, simply reach out to [email protected] for information on our next helmet distribution event.
Check your bike
RTC Bike Share crews regularly check each bike to make sure it is ready to ride, but you should always give a bike a once-over before hopping on. If you find any issues with the bike, contact customer service immediately at (844) 641-7823, and select a different bike to ride.
- Seat: RTC bike seats are easily adjustable. Just open the clamp on the seat post, lower or raise your seat, and close the clamp again. Make sure the seat is straight and doesn’t move. Most people prefer their seat to be high enough so they can straighten their legs while pedaling.
- Air: Make sure each tire is fully inflated by pressing down on it. If it flattens under pressure, select another bike.
- Brakes: Make sure the brake cables are working properly by pressing each lever next to the handlebars. If you don’t feel any resistance, select a different bike.
- Wheels: Give each wheel a spin to check that it does not catch against the brake pads or anything else.
Plan your route
Downtown Las Vegas has plenty of options for riding depending on your comfort level. Knowing the best route to take ahead of time often makes a bicycle trip easier. You can look up route ideas in several ways:
- Use the Transit app on your smartphone.
- RTC Bike Share online station map
- Downtown Las Vegas Bike Maps
- Google Maps allows you to select a bicycle as your means of transportation and gives you the best route and elevation.
During your ride
- Minimize riding on the sidewalk. Always yield to pedestrians.
- A bicycle is a vehicle, follow and obey all traffic lights and signs.
- Every lane is a bike lane, people on bikes may use a whole lane.
- Watch for open car doors and right turning cars.
- Give extra clearance to buses and trucks. They have large blind spots and may not see you. Watch for buses pulling in and away from the curb.
- Always ride in the same direction of traffic.
- Get a helmet and wear it often.
- Ride with a friend! It’s fun and there is safety in numbers.
- Ride predictably, ride straight and use hand signals.
- Only one person per bike!
Make it easy for drivers and pedestrians to know your next move
- Don’t weave in and out of traffic. It’s always safer to ride in a straight line.
- Signal your next move. If you are turning, point in the direction you are going. This helps cars and other cyclists understand your intentions.
- Use bike lanes where possible, unless you are turning or it’s unsafe to do so. If the street is too narrow for cars and bicycles to safely travel next to each other, you have the right to ride in the middle of the lane – Every Lane is a Bike Lane!
- Avoid the “door zone.” Give clearance to parked cars. Trust us, you don’t want to be surprised by a car door being opened.
Pay attention and communicate
- Never ride with headphones; it’s important to hear what’s going on around you.
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- Make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians before passing.
- Always pass on the left. Use your bell or say “on your left” to let pedestrians and riders know you’re passing.
At the end of your ride
- When returning your RTC bike to a station, make sure it is securely locked. Listen for 3 beeps and a green light to indicate a successful return. No beeps? Give the bike an extra PUSH, or try another dock point.
- If you’ve had any issues with your bike during your ride, contact customer service.
- If you are an Explorer or Downtowner Passholder check My Account to see data from your trip.