Riding with a group can be fun and safe if done with common sense, communication and courtesy. Below are some guidelines we all need to follow in order to maximise our safety and enjoyment while riding with our fellow cyclists amidst the motorised vehicles, pedestrians and roadside obstacles that we may encounter during the ride.
Stay Focused and Attentive
Constantly watch the road ahead and other riders around you.
Be attentive to audible and hand signals by riders warning of pedestrians, potholes, parked cars or other roadside obstacles.
Anticipate sudden moves by other riders as they swerve or brake hard to avoid an obstacle.
Follow Traffic Rules
Obey stop signs and traffic signals. 'Running' red lights and stop signs is a recipe for disaster and illegal.
Be alert for pedestrians, especially for children, who might suddenly dart into the street.
Make it easy for other riders as well as vehicular traffic to anticipate your next move.
Ride in a straight line, keeping a consistent pace.
Don't stand out of the saddle without warning. A momentary pause in your pedalling can mean your bike drops back into the bike directly behind you.
Don't slam on your brakes. If you need to slow down a bit, adjust your speed by feathering your brakes.
Always overtake another rider on the right hand side, never the left.
Use Hand Signals
Use straight arm hand signals when you are turning.
Bend your arm at the elbow when you are slowing down and call out "slowing" at the same time. Also, use hand signals to point out road hazards such as potholes, glass, parked cars alongside the road and other obstacles you might encounter during a group ride.
Stay Out of the Way of Vehicular Traffic
Avoid vehicular traffic by riding on the left side of the line separating the road from its shoulder.
Be careful not to ride too deep into the road shoulder, as there tends to be debris like broken glass, rocks and other road hazards there.
Riding two abreast on most roads is safe and legal provided that you are not more than 1.5 metres apart (Australian Road Rules Rule 151(4) Oct 1999).
Ride single-file when the vehicular traffic is heavy, if there is little or no shoulder on the road, you are going over the crest of a hill, road works or weather conditions are poor e.g. thick fog, heavy rain.
No Overlapping Wheels
As you ride in a group, avoid overlapping wheels (riding with your front wheel next to the rear wheel of the bicycle in front of you). This way, if the rider in front of you suddenly swerves in your direction, he or she doesn't take you down as their rear wheel smacks into your front wheel.
Don't 'half-wheel' the rider next to you, stay parallel to them.