Safety Guidelines
Taking Care of Yourself
- Follow the Road Code.
- Keep your bicycle well maintained, especially brakes and tyres (ask experienced riders to
check if you are unsure)
. - Wear high visibility clothing.
- Keep well to the left and on busy roads, or where vision is restricted, or when passing
parked vehicles, ride single file (“single up”). It may be necessary to split a long line into
smaller groups on busy roads in order to allow following traffic to leapfrog the group.
Otherwise, drivers may take chances when overtaking. - Be alert when passing parked vehicles. A car door can suddenly open, with painful
consequences. - When talking to other riders (riding is a very social activity) stay alert for traffic and road
hazards. - Clearly communicate your intentions and any hazards that you see
a) by giving voice signals. e.g. “Stopping”, “Slowing”, “Car back”, “Glass”, “Pothole”.
b) by giving clear hand signals for left and right turns, for stopping and to point out hazards
to avoid (e.g. bollards, potholes, parked cars!).
Behaviour in a group - Ride in a predictable manner with consideration for other road users.
- Stop well before an intersection if directions need to be given.
- When waiting, stop where the whole group will be clear of the intersection. Stop well clear
of traffic – wait on the footpath or verge if necessary. - If leading, do not turn, then wait out of sight from those who may be some distance behind.
Wait on the intersection, or appoint another rider to act as a corner sentinel. - Be alert to potential hazards. If you crash you may also endanger others.
- Know your own ability and ride within it. The group will always wait but, before a ride, you
should be sure you can handle the distance, and not delay the group. - When riding close, do not overlap the back wheel of the bike in front and avoid riding directly
behind it. A small offset is safer. - Call out to the rider in front if you intend “passing on the left”.
- Value and support your leader. Generally stay behind or close to the leader.
- However, faster riders may wish to ride ahead of the group and wait where agreed. It is
therefore important that you find out from the leader where the next turning point is. If you
take a wrong turn, no one will go looking for you. If in doubt, wait at the next turning/top of
the hill etc. - There should be a Tail End Charlie for large groups. Make sure you know who it is.
- Be aware of the riders behind you. When you notice they are no longer there, wait for them
to catch up. This way the group will keep together and riders will not get lost or, if someone
has had a problem, there will not be far to go back looking for them. - Let the leader and the Tail End Charlie know if you wish to leave a ride early. Leave from
the back of the group (so that other riders do not follow you.)
What to Bring - Tube and basic tools. Know how to use them. If you don’t know, ask experienced riders for
help. - Sufficient drink and food and some money.
- Clothes for wet or cold weather.
- ID with emergency information.
- Consider bringing a small first aid kit and a cellphone.