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Bicycles East Group Road Ride Etiquette

During our Bicycles East group rides, we represent ourselves to our community. We want the rides to be safe and enjoyable for all riders, while being courteous to the motorists and other road users with whom we share the road. 

Group rides differ from other rides in that the challenges of courteous road sharing are magnified. We have the right to use the road as a group. It helps to understand the challenges and sometimes nervousness faced by motorists when they come upon a large group. While obeying all road rules is always important, it is critical on a group ride. On all Bicycles East group road rides we will follow all laws including:

  • Stop at ALL stop signs and stop lights. If part of the group goes through a stoplight but the light turns before everybody gets through, the first group should slow down so that others can catch up once the light is green again. The first person at the sign must come to a full, not rolling stop. When other cyclists are following immediately behind, everybody can go through as one unit.

  • Yield to pedestrians in cross-walks.
  • Ride as far to the right as is safe. You may ride 2 abreast, but never more than 2, and must be single file when a car approaches from behind. When hearing "car back", everybody should move single file. Even when riding 2 abreast, be sure to stay in the right half of your lane, not close to the yellow line. Never ride in the opposing lane.

  • When passing slower cyclists, whether in your own group or not, please say “On your left” and provide a couple feet clearance. When faster cyclists pass slower cyclists, it feels similar to when you are passed by a fast-moving vehicle.

  • When approaching an intersection that allows you to go straight, left, or right – if you are traveling straight or turning left, take the lane by moving to the center/left of the lane so that those vehicles turning right on red may still do so. Never take a left turn from the right side of the lane – be sure to move into the lane safely rather than accidentally crossing in front of a car.

  • Do not pass cars on the right. If you are approaching cars ahead, whether they are slowing or stopped, stay behind them, just as you would in a car, rather than riding up on their right.

  • Group rides have different dynamics than other rides – they are not the ride for getting a best time or a best segment or to come in faster than somebody else. Those are great goals for a different ride. Try to stay between the leader and sweeper. Most concerns occur when a cyclists get ahead of the leader and pulls away, causing other riders to make unsafe decisions (such as going through a stop sign) to catch up. Please remember that these are "group" rides and people come to ride together. This means that some rideres often ride slower than their capabilities in order to maintain the group experience for everybody.

Have fun! Yes, it is possible even with all the rules. And thank you again for your help!

I have read and agree to follow the etiquette guidelines above while participating in Bicycles East Group Rides:

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