As a member, you will meet new people who share your interest in cycling as well as many other interests. By riding with us, you have the opportunity to share and learn safe bicycling habits and to foster cycling in our community. In effect, you become an ambassador for the great sport of cycling. BBC rides are enjoyable, in part, because we encourage all riders to abide by the Rules of the Road.
The purpose of riding in an organized group is to provide a planned opportunity for cyclists of comparable skill levels or aspirations to ride together. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don’t get in each other’s way, and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in or pass.
The club welcomes riders of various levels of ability and skills and will try to accommodate everyone. New riders will need to identify themselves when new to group riding, are not sure of their abilities, or have any other concern prior to the beginning of any ride. Honest knowledge of your abilities and good communication comes into play for everyone.
When riding with the club please be a current member of the BBC and sign the club’s liability waiver prior to the start of the ride. Guest are invited to join a ride to try one ride with the club before joining but must still sign the liability waiver.
Basic Guidelines For All BBC Rides
Bicyclists fare best when they act like and are treated as operators of a vehicle.
What To Do If A Rider Is Injured
The purpose of riding in an organized group is to provide a planned opportunity for cyclists of comparable skill levels or aspirations to ride together. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don’t get in each other’s way, and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in or pass.
The club welcomes riders of various levels of ability and skills and will try to accommodate everyone. New riders will need to identify themselves when new to group riding, are not sure of their abilities, or have any other concern prior to the beginning of any ride. Honest knowledge of your abilities and good communication comes into play for everyone.
When riding with the club please be a current member of the BBC and sign the club’s liability waiver prior to the start of the ride. Guest are invited to join a ride to try one ride with the club before joining but must still sign the liability waiver.
Basic Guidelines For All BBC Rides
Bicyclists fare best when they act like and are treated as operators of a vehicle.
- Wear helmets at all times; they are required of all riders on club rides.
- Do not wear ear buds; they are not permitted on club rides.
- All riders must have adequate liquid hydration and are encouraged to have food/fuel, repair items like spare tube and air supply. Cell phones are also encouraged.
- Stay out of right turn lanes when going straight.
- Stay right, and do not pass on hills with limited sightlines or curves.
- Do not hinder traffic unnecessarily.
- Move to single file when traffic is present. The most efficient way to do this is for the inside rider(s)—those closer to the center of the road—to pull in ahead of those on his/her right.
- Make space for cars to pass large groups of cyclists.
- Ensure safe crossings. Look for yourself. Some riders may call "clear" but you should be responsible for your own safety. Directing traffic is not legal.
- Give verbal warnings:
- “Passing on left/right.” Passing on the right should only be done if the slower rider is more than a normal bike width (4 ft.) from the right edge of the pavement.
- “Car back” then form single line for courtesy to and safety of riders and drivers
- “Car Up” for oncoming traffic
- “Hole” or “Gravel” to alert riders behind, as well as pointing out
- Use hand signals:
- Right or left turn: arm parallel to ground in direction of turn
- Slowing: arm down at side with palm facing back and pulsing, as well as calling out
- Stopping: arm down at side with palm facing back, as well as calling out
- Slow and stop at all stop signs and traffic lights - The new PA "Ride on Red" Law may apply to cyclists. Click here to read more.
- Ride steadily. Keep a steady line and constant speed while in a group. Any sudden change is magnified as it reaches riders at the back and so can have dramatic consequences.
- No racing. You can race to your heart’s content in organised competitive events but please not on group runs. Do not overtake the rider/riders at the head of the group. If you have to stop, do not push your way back into your original position but rejoin at the back of the group as soon as possible.
- Ride two abreast where it as safe to do so but always be prepared to single out when necessary. Ride immediately behind the rider in front – do not overlap either forwards or sideways. Overlapping forwards gives you no chance to avoid the rider in front if he swerves or falls, and overlapping sideways results in the group presenting a three abreast profile. Never ride more than two abreast.
- When approaching a hill anticipate the gradient and change gear in good time. Missing a gear change on the steep bit can bring you to a sudden halt – not a good thing for the riders behind you!
- Treat members of the group and other road users with courtesy. Acknowledge with a wave courteous behaviour by other road users. (Many oncoming motorists will slow down or stop when they meet a large group of cyclists, whilst others allow the whole group to join or cross a major road). Do not “wave through” a following vehicle that is waiting to overtake – let the driver make this decision. This will avoid the risk of being held responsible if the overtaking results in any form of accident.
- Do not react to bad driving incidents with gestures or provoke retaliation. Remember a road rage motorist has a one ton weapon!
What To Do If A Rider Is Injured
- All ride leaders and sweeps are strongly encouraged to have a cell phone with them during a ride.
- Stay calm; you are no help to others if you are frantic. Survey the situation before you act.
- Divert or stop traffic. If the injured rider is in the roadway, have other riders divert or stop traffic until you can determine if the person has a possible neck or back injury. Get all other riders and their bicycles off the road.
- Important: If you determine that the person has a possible neck or back injury, divert or hold up traffic until help arrives. Do not move the person.
- Determine if the person is injured seriously enough to require medical attention. The injured rider should get medical attention if he or she:
- Is bleeding heavily
- Has a head injury and lost consciousness even briefly
- Can’t remember what happened
- Has obvious pain when moving an injured limb
- Pay careful attention even if there are no obvious injuries. Confusion or disorientation could indicate a head injury.
- Send someone for help, if necessary. Call 911 immediately, if there is any question about whether professional medical attention is needed.
- Check the rider’s cell phone for an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact number. If an ambulance is summoned, make sure the person’s identification/contact information and helmet go in the ambulance with him/her. Hospital personnel will want to examine the helmet to determine the likelihood of head injuries.
- Stay with the injured rider until help arrives. The ride leader and preferably someone who knows first aid should remain. Other riders may continue the ride, especially if they need to get back to the starting point before daylight ends.
- Obtain the name, driver license number, plate number, and insurance information of any driver involved in the accident.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses and persons that rendered assistance.
- Report the accident to the ride coordinator and ride leader. Make note of the rider’s name/contact information so a followup call can be made to check on their condition.
- Return for the injured rider’s bike as soon as possible, preferably before nightfall. Alternatively, leave the bike at a nearby police or fire station, bike shop, or at the home of local residents.