- Group Riding Etiquette
Do:
- Follow the Highway Code at all times, including traffic lights. The rules of the road apply to all road-users.
- Ensure your bike is safe and properly prepared for each ride. In winter months, consider fitting more robust/heavier tyres to guard against punctures and using full-length mudguards to ensure the comfort of others, so we can continue to ride as a group.
- Use lights in low light situations.
- Wear a helmet and dress in appropriate clothing for the weather. Bring everything you might need – e.g., tyre levers, spare tube, pump, multi-tool, waterproof jacket, food, drink, money.
- Stay off the front if you are unable to lead the publicised route with 100% confidence (via use of a SatNav with the publicised route loaded, or through detailed memory of the publicised route).
- Cycle no more than two abreast in two close parallel lines where appropriate, focusing on keeping it neat and tidy. There should be approximately half a meter between your front wheel and the back wheel of the rider in front; and also between your shoulders and the rider beside you. Don’t half wheel the rider next to you – your handlebars should remain even with theirs.
- Be prepared on small or busy roads to ride in single file.
- Ride directly behind the wheel in front – if you cycle in the middle of the two wheels in front of you, you will push the cyclist on your outside closer to oncoming or passing vehicles.
- Brake as gently and smoothly as you safely can when riding in a pack and cover your brakes at all times.
- Talk and communicate – e.g., point out with hand signals or call hazards in the road (potholes, manhole covers, etc.), and let lead riders know if a rider is getting dropped or traffic is building up behind.
- Be predictable and indicate your intentions. If you are in the front, remember that people are following your calls. If you make a decision to pull out on a roundabout or junction, you need to call “Clear” or “Wait” to warn the pack of hazards.
- If you are feeling tired, let people know. Accidents happen when people are tired and lose concentration. Everyone gets tired, let the group know so they bring the pace down and tuck you in the pack to carry you home.
- Remain courteous to other road users, avoid entering into arguments with drivers and using foul language..
- Stop and wait for mechanicals or punctures in the group. Stop and wait at a suitably safe place at the top of climbs if the group has split.
- Regroup at designated points to ensure no one is left behind.
Don’t:
- Ride more than two abreast at any time, unless dropping back after taking a turn at the front.
- Overlap wheels, or nudge in between the wheels of the riders in front. You will come off if they move off their line.
- Use tri/aero bars on group rides as these are not safe in a group situation.
- Make any sudden movements or changes in direction when in the pack. You are responsible for the cyclist behind you; they are following your wheel and need to trust you.
- Ride off the front. This is a club run, not a race.
- “Zone out” on the wheel in front. Keep aware of everything that is going on around you, look ahead and that way you can avoid most hazards.
- Pull out at junctions without looking, having heard the “Clear” call from a fellow cyclist. Check whether there is a vehicle coming yourself.
- Beckon through cars from behind the group. If accidents occur, this may result in ‘blaming’ of the cyclist, and lead to accusations the rider put the car driver at risk/rider negligence etc.
- Use excessive hand signals, especially where not defined in the Highway code
Rider code of conduct: (LINK)