Group riding can be fun and rewarding but becomes dangerous when there is little or no communication between cyclists. Especially when those in the group are inexperienced and/or riding beyond their ability. Good, clear communication which involves pointing out approaching hazards and riding within the limit of your experience and physical ability lead’s to greater enjoyment and a safer environment for all members of the group.
Experienced riders should point out any mistakes made by less experienced riders. This must be done in a friendly manner of course, but it is important to make people aware of unsafe riding and help them learn the right behaviour. Riding in a group is about everyone’s safety.
REMEMBER:
- Obey all traffic laws and road marshals; they exist for your own safety. Click here to access the DPI’s cycling resources
- Be courteous to all other riders and any traffic you encounter
- Ride one metre from the curb to avoid drains and gutter rubbish
- Be aware of your surroundings; constantly scan in front, beside and behind you
- KEEP LEFT AT ALL TIMES unless passing slower riders
- Only pass slower riders if there is enough room for your group to do so safely
- Warn slower riders before you pass them. Use your bell or a clear voice
- Do not pass too closely to slower riders
- Always pass to the right of slower riders
- Do not overtake on the inside of a corner
- Be predictable; always maintain a steady direction and speed
- Hold your line; do not swerve left or right
- Communicate warnings to those around you verbally and using hand signals
- Do not draft/slipstream unless you are well practised at it and familiar with the riders you are riding with!
- Do not overlap your front wheel with the rear wheel of the bicycle in front
- Do not slow down without warning the riders behind you
- Do not freewheel if you are on the front of a group, always keep pedalling
- Only ride two (2) abreast, less than 1.5m apart, unless passing
PLAN AHEAD:
- Drink water before, during and after the ride
- Learn the route; it is your responsibility to know where you are going
- Carry spares or money in case of a breakdown; tube, pump, puncture repair kit
STANDARD VERBAL WARNINGS
- “Bikes right” - Call down the line when being passed on your right
- “Bikes back” - Call forward when passing slower riders
- “Bikes left” - Call down the line when you are passing other riders
- “Car left” - Call down the line to warn of a parked car on the left
- “Slowing” - Call down the line when you are braking
- “Stopping!” - Call down the line when stopping for any reason
- “Hazard” - Point at the hazard while calling down the line “Glass” or “Hole” or “Drain”
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
- Stop if you are involved in an accident and check the wellbeing of fallen riders and provide assistance
- Move fallen bikes off the road to reduce the risk to other cyclists
- Arrange for someone to act as a marshal to warn oncoming traffic of the accident ahead. Call for an ambulance if required
- Stay with the fallen cyclist until the ambulance arrives
- Record the incident and provide details to ambulance officers when they arrive
UNSUITABLE FOR GROUP RIDING
The items & behaviour below are not suitable for group riding and pose a safety risk to others.
- Erratic riding
- iPod, MP3 player or headphones
- Triathlon bars
- Answering your mobile phone while riding
- A bicycle in poor condition (i.e. worn brakes)
- Time trial bicycles
- Motorised bicycles
To download this information as a PDF, please click here.
