Skip to main content

Group Riding Guidelines


Riders,


Group rides are a great, fun way to build a community of cyclists, but with today’s increasingly distracted drivers, one of the most important functions of riding in a group is safety. In the event of a bike-car collision, the rider is at infinitely higher risk of harm. When it comes to cycling, there’s safety in numbers. Here are the VéloCity Cycling guidelines to ensure our group rides are fun, safe, and consistent.


The VéloCity philosophy is:

  1. Safety for all riders and all those around us - before, during and after rides.

  2. Riding etiquette, the power of the group and improving riding fitness/skills.

  3. Being social.


Guidelines


VéloCity Cycling rides like to meet 15 minutes before the ride is scheduled to leave for a pre-ride briefing. This allows the ride leader to introduce themselves and to discuss the route and road conditions. The group discusses the pace and whether or not it will be a no-drop ride. New riders can introduce themselves and be introduced to the rules of the ride. We also use this time to fill up tires and help each other prepare.


Safety Etiquette

  1. Obey your ride leader

Most of the safety rules can be boiled down to following the ride leader’s example. The ride leader sets the route, the tenor, the pace, and the agenda, so they always know what needs to happen. Defer to the ride leader. They set the mood as well as the rules of the ride. If they stop to let a car pass, the group stops with them. If they’re waiting at a light, the group waits with them/for them to take off again together. Keep an eye out for their signals. They might be in the front or the back of the group, but they should always be allowed to reach the front if they need to. Be mindful of where the ride leader is in the pack, especially in busy areas.

  1. Obey traffic rules

This one should be a given. There’s absolutely no reason you should be recklessly running red lights or flaunting the rules of the road while out for a ride. It puts you and anybody you are riding with at risk and it’s, you know, illegal. We never blow through stop signs, and absolutely never run through traffic lights (that’s a cycling cardinal sin).

  1. Share the road

As cyclists, we need to be courteous to the drivers on the road. More often than not, they have right of way, and for the group’s safety we need to adjust to the road conditions as they change. Never pick a fight or be confrontational with motorists. Friendly interaction can go a long way towards improving the riding experience. The riders at the back should let the group know when they need to single up to better share the road with cars, or when there is a particularly large vehicle coming around (like a dump truck).

  1. Be predictable

There is almost nothing more irritating and dangerous than an erratic cyclist. Be predictable in EVERYTHING you do, especially around cars. Riding smoothly and with predictability is key to a safer and more enjoyable ride. You can demonstrate courtesy and mindfulness to fellow riders as well as motorists, which leads to cars giving the group more leeway. 

  1. Communicate

Nothing is worse than being at the back of a group and barreling full speed into a giant pothole you didn’t see coming up. Using hand signals to point out obstacles on the road is appreciated by everyone you ride with. Verbal signals are also good when you can’t take your hands off the bars or there’s a sudden change up ahead that needs to be communicated to the group. It’s everybody’s responsibility to watch out for potential collisions (cars, people, dogs, deer, turkeys, etc.). If you see something, say something!

  1. Don’t wear earbuds

One of the greatest aspects of cycling is the nature of the group ride and the social side of training. More than that, tuning out your surroundings during a group ride is extremely dangerous. You need to stay aware of your fellow riders and the road conditions.


Health and Hygiene Etiquette :)

Covid is no longer as prevalent a concern, but we do have some health safety protocols in place.

  1. If you’re feeling sick, stay home

Please don’t put your fellow cyclists at risk for any sickness you may have. If you have any COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, headache, loss of taste/smell) or flu-like symptoms, or if you have had contact/exposure to anyone who has – do not show up. Please get tested for the virus. Wait until you’re safe to be around others, and we’ll be glad to see you again then!

  1. Be mindful of where you spit

Don’t spit on people :( Get to the side of the group and spit in the grass if needed.



See you on the road (safely and responsibly)!