Rider Etiquette

NBCC ETHOS

  • SAFETY is always the number one priority of any NBCC ride.
  • NBCC rides are recreational. They are not races!
  • Choosing to participate in an NBCC group ride means you have chosen to be part of a team.
  • Be understanding and supportive of less experienced riders… we were all there once.
  • Give and receive advice graciously.
  • Lead by example.
  • Introduce yourself to new riders… make them feel welcome, as someone once welcomed you.
  • Remember… our actions as individual riders reflect upon NBCC as a whole.
  • Enjoy yourself, and have fun!

 THE BASICS

  • Be on time. Ride times, are departure times, not meeting times.
  • Maintain your bike in good order before rides, to save mechanical hassles during the ride.
  • Carry enough water, food and spares for the distance of the ride.
  • Check the route beforehand, and if you’re unsure, please ask.
  • It is sensible to carry your mobile phone and some cash. We all love a coffee at the end of a ride.
  • Bring a happy and positive attitude.

SHARING THE ROAD

  • Obey the road rules.
  • Respect other road users.
  • Be predictable and always indicate your intentions.
  • Never ride more than 2 abreast.
  • Maintain group formation at lights and intersections behind queued vehicles.
  • Use lights when there is insufficient daylight.

 GROUP RIDE ETIQUETTE

Riding in Formation

  • Riders should form two neat lines, keeping your handlebars level with those of the rider next to you.
  • Try to maintain about a 30-50cm distance from the rear wheel of the rider in front of you.
  • Ride at an even steady pace, to minimise surging in the group.
  • Close up gaps between riders as smoothly as possible.
  • When possible ride one metre clear from the gutters and parked cars.

Single File

  • If the road narrows and the group is small the call may be made to ride single file when necessary. The outside rider should move carefully in front of the rider directly to their left, merging the two lines together evenly.

Lead Riders

  • Lead riders must call out all hazards and indicate route directions with plenty of warning for following riders, and following riders must pass it back down the group (see Calls and Signals).

Rolling Through

  •  If the call to “roll through” is given, the front rider on the outside (right) increases the pace sufficiently to pull forward and in front of the rider to his/her immediate left. The following riders on the outside move up behind him and one by one move over to the left as they reach the front. Like a chain, the whole group moves in an anticlockwise loop.
  • Once you have rolled across to the left, begin to ease up slightly. The rider coming around you is doing the pace-work of the peloton and does not want to sprint just to be able to roll over. Call “Clear” to the next rider, to signal its clear for them to move left in front of you.
  • Enjoy your “rest” when on the left/inside line, remembering to continue to repeat any calls from the lead riders.
  • The last rider to move off the back into the outside/fast line calls “last wheel” when pasting the last person in the left line.
  • Increase your effort to maintain the higher momentum of the peloton when in the faster “rolling through” line.
  • If you are not comfortable keeping up with the roll through let other riders know and ride at the back of the group.

Keep Left

  • When climbing and you are no longer riding in formation keep left at all times (unless passing another rider).

Passing

  • When passing another rider always check behind to see it is safe. Pull out smoothly and call “on your right” to the rider you are passing. Move smoothly back to the left when you have completed the manoeuvre.
  • Do not try to pass on the left or “inside”, even if a gap has formed.

Braking

  • Avoid braking as much as possible in the group. When braking is necessary do so gently and indicate you are slowing. Avoid braking through corners; slow up gradually before you get there if the corner is sharp or the traction uncertain.                                                                     

Accelerating

  • Accelerating away from lights, intersections and corners should be steady and controlled so that large gaps are not formed. Awaiting the call “All on” to signify the group is all together and the original pace then maintained.

Cornering

  • Hold your line through corners giving the person next to you plenty of space. Approach the corner at a safe speed and do not brake through corners.

Punctures

  • If someone has a flat tyre, assistance is to be given by other riders in the group. The group can then get rolling again once the puncture is repaired and all riders are ready to go. Whilst stopped road side, please be considerate of other road users, and stay well off the road.

Accidents

  • In the rare event that there is an accident ALL riders must stop and give assistance as needed.

DO NOT:

  • Cross wheels with the rider in front of you.
  • Run red lights. Wait for them to change green.
  • Half-wheel with the rider beside you.
  • Allow large gaps to form.
  • Surge or change pace indiscriminately.
  • Brake suddenly.

Miscellaneous

  • Tri-bars are NOT to be used in group rides.
  • Fixies or single speed bikes without brakes are NOT permitted in group rides.
  • Mobile phones are NOT to be used while in the group. Pull off or drop well back behind the group if you need to use a hand held mobile. Hands-free mobiles are permitted for emergency calls only.
  • The use of iPods and wearing headphones is NOT permitted whilst riding in a group.