Meridian Cycling Club
Rules and Riding Guidelines
Advice for newcomers and important reminders for experienced riders
The Club's aim is to help members to ensure their own safety, the safety of their companions and other road users by developing effective cycling skills, good communication, mutual understanding & respect. Obeying the Club Rules and adhering to the Club Riding Guidelines will help to achieve this aim.
RULES
1. All Members must:
(a) Obey the Highway Code
(b) Make sure your bike is well-maintained and roadworthy and is fitted with effective mudguards in wet weather (c) Carry good lights in poor visibility.
(d) Be personally responsible and behave with consideration for other road users.
(e) Look out for others in your riding group (this is not only the responsibility of the leader or back marker).
(f) Ride in accordance with the recommendations of the Guidelines below.
(g) Ride in accordance with the recommendations of Cycling UK (CTC).
Meridian Cycling Club
Rules and Riding Guidelines 2016 v1.0 .docx Page 1
(h) Have third party personal liability insurance from CTC/Cycling UK, BC or LCC
GUIDANCE
• Carry your Club membership card (or other identification and emergency contact information) Plus insurance contact no. (i.e. Cycling UK membership card)
• Keep to the left, as near to the verge as is reasonable; only ride two abreast if following traffic can safely overtake • To single-up from two abreast, usually the inside rider to go ahead and the outside rider to slot in behind
• Ride as a group; maintain your position in the group and keep behind the leader at all times (excluding up/down hills); maintain your line
• To avoid riders being dropped or left all riders should ensure that they maintain in contact with the rider immediately behind them. Should the rider behind stop or drop back a message should be passed forward to reach the ride leader who can then stop or slow down as necessary.
• Keep as close as you feel comfortable with to the rider in front of you but avoid overlapping his/her wheel
• Ride smoothly, avoiding sudden movements; think about the rider behind you; brake steadily, not sharply
• Be sure that you can ride capably with one hand off the bars, so that you can turn and look behind or signal
• Listen out and communicate clearly to others using the appropriate verbal warnings/hand signals
• Do not indicate to vehicles behind to overtake; let them make their own decisions
• Be courteous to other road users
Meridian Cycling Club
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• Riders should carry a spare tube, pump and multi-tool and know how to fix a puncture.
• Tell the leader if you are leaving a club run
GUIDANCE FOR LEADERS
• All rides should be planned to take into account the riding level of the group, in particular those riding self-propelled bikes.
• Leader to decide whether or not the ride goes ahead having regard to weather and road conditions
• Leader to count numbers at the start, ensure there is a Back Marker and give an outline of the route to the destination • If a new member/guest is riding with the group, Leader to arrange for a "Buddy" who will then ride near the back with the new member/guest
• Leader and Back Marker to make sure the group stays together; if the group size is too large, Leader to split the group
• Leader to be sensitive to the speed of the group and not race ahead
• Leader to consider carefully where to stop during a ride; avoid blocking junctions and stopping on bends
• Leader to warn riders behind only of hazards that might not be otherwise expected
• Leader to clearly communicate warnings and instructions • Leader to record details of any accident involving injury or damage
• Leader to report riders present and brief details of the ride on the Club's blog, or report if ride does not go ahead
Meridian Cycling Club
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• Leader to make sure new members/guests know their way home
GUIDANCE FOR BACK MARKERS
• Assist the Leader to keep the group together
• Warn of traffic from the rear, only where there is a potential danger
• Look after problems/stragglers at the back, and communicate with the Leader
GUIDANCE FOR BUDDIES
• Advise new member/guest about the Club's riding guidelines
• Ride with the new member/guest near the back of the group • All experienced Club riders are potential Buddies
Revised Oct 2022