Safety & Etiquette

As a friendly, community-based cycling club, we welcome you to come ride with us. All we ask is that you follow a few basic rules to make your riding – and that of the rest of the group – as safe and enjoyable as possible.

When you join the club you will be asked to sign a statement to say that you agree to abide by these common sense rules. This is important for our liability insurance. You should also read our Group Riding Guidelines.

Safety first

  • All riders take part in club riding activities at their own risk.
  • Ensure you have 3rd party liability insurance (for example Cycling UK membership, Laka insurance or British Cycling Ride, Silver or Gold membership).
  • Ensure your bike is in roadworthy condition. Check tyres, brakes, cleats etc. Ride with necessary tools: multi-tool, tyre levers, spare tube & pump at minimum.
  • Bring appropriate clothing & equipment: helmet, lighting, mobile phone, In Case of Emergency phone number, warm and rainproof garments as necessary.
  • Follow the Highway Code.

Group riding

  • Ride predictably and smoothly with no sudden changes in pace or direction. Avoid hard braking.
  • Ride 2 abreast if the road allows for it, but single out or split into smaller groups where necessary to allow vehicles to pass or where the road is narrow with blind corners and hill crests. No 3 abreast riding.
  • Communicate to the group:
    • “Car up!”
    • “Car back!”
    • “Slowing!”
    • “Stopping!”
    • “Single Out!”
    • “Split!” To indicate line should split into smaller groups to help cars pass.
    • “Hole!” (also point out potholes and road hazards.)
    • “Clear!” at a junction (please double check),
    • “Car right,” “Car left.” at a junction.
  • Pass along communication from the back of the group e.g. “puncture,” or “easy up” so that the whole group can slow or stop, and always act on shouted instructions as quickly as possible.
  • Signal: Always check behind you and signal your intention to move out of or into a line of riders. Signal your intention to move out to avoid obstacles such as parked cars (usually by pointing your left hand to the right behind your back). Signal an intention to slow or stop. Point out potholes and other road hazards.
  • Don’t overlap wheels with the rider in front.
  • Allow space between riders on descents.
  • No use of aerobars or equivalent in group riding.
  • In the event of adverse weather conditions, and particularly ice, club rides will be cancelled, preferably by 18:00 the evening before the ride but sometimes at even shorter notice. Check with the ride leader if you’re not sure.
  • Ensure you have the mobile phone number of the ride leader with you. If you have any reason to leave the ride, let the ride leader know at the earliest opportunity.
  • Even when joining a group ride, you should ensure that you are self-sufficient and can find your own way home if necessary.
  • Know your limitations and choose an appropriate riding group.
  • Show respect and consideration to everyone else in the group.
  • Support the ride leader and comply with the instructions they give. Ride at the speed set by the ride leader which has been publicised on the ride posting.
  • Show courtesy and respect for all other road users, giving way where necessary to vehicles, pedestrians and horses. If you come across a horse and rider, it’s courteous to slow down and call out a warning to them if they haven’t seen you e.g. “Bikes behind,” as well as asking if it’s OK to come past.
  • Be aware of drivers stuck behind the group. It may be OK for ride leaders to wave drivers through, but be prepared to pull over on narrow roads to allow the car to pass.
  • In the event of confrontations with other road users, try to keep calm and avoid entering into an argument. If at all possible, allow the ride leader to handle the incident. Report any serious incidents to the Road Captain as soon as possible.
  • The Club strongly recommends the use of a full-length rear mudguard between October when the clocks go back, and March when they go forward. There are many reasons for this, but we prioritise the health and welfare of the following rider. Any riders not using a mudguard should ride at the back of the group.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment of our club rides is conducted every year.

Disciplinary

The safety of the riders on the road is our priority. In the event that a rider’s behaviour is considered by the ride leader or other committee member/s to be compromising the safety of the group, the ride leader will politely discuss this with the rider/s concerned and seek compliance. If this does not resolve the issue, the committee reserves the right, having heard all the facts, to invite the member/s to resign from the club.