Safety & Risk Management
All members of K20 Cycling Club are required to read, understand and adhere to the rules and etiquette guidance presented below.
Risk can never be totally eliminated but can be mitigated by following these rules and guidance.
All riders who take part in K20 Cycling Club activities do so at their own risk.
K20 Cycling Club require all members to wear a cycling helmet when riding with K20 Groups
All Club Members are required to be members of either British Cycling or Cycling UK in order to be personally covered by third party liability insurance.
New members will be asked to provide proof of their membership of British Cycling or Cycling UK as part of the application process to join K20 Cycling Club
K20 Cycling Club has third party liability insurance through affiliation with British Cycling. This covers the club and persons assisting the club in its activities but it does not cover individual riders or their bikes.
Club Officers and Group leaders will point out, to the rider concerned, anything which may be of potential risk to others. Where concern is elevated, the matter may be reported to the Group Rides Captain and the Club Committee who may wish to take further action.
Incidents of a serious nature may result in a member being expelled from the Club.
The K20 Cycling Club risk assessment may be read HERE
Group riding rules
We would expect Club members to ALWAYS obey the Highway Code.
When on any club ride:
Riders must carry a form of ID that shows their name, address and emergency contact details
It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that their bike is in a safe condition to ride
Riders must wear a helmet
Riders must use a road bike, unless a ride or session is designated otherwise
Ebikes are welcome within Groups 5 and 6
The use of Tri-Bars during Group rides is not allowed
Groups with larger numbers should split into smaller sub-groups and distance themselves accordingly to help traffic flow. In addition, any specific Government restrictions in force at any time must be adhered to e.g. Covid 19 - groups of no more than 6
There must be a designated ride leader. Let others know if you are unable to keep up, have a problem or have decided to leave the group.
By participating in Club activities, riders are:
Acknowledging the dangers of participating in cycling and fully assume the risks associated with it including, without limitation, the risk of collision with other riders, vehicles and fixed and moving objects, risks arising from surface hazards, equipment failure and weather conditions potentially leading to serious physical injury and/or loss of life
Consenting to take part in the activity, which may include being in a traffic free environment and/or on the public highway, and understand and agree that they are participating at their risk, taking full and entire responsibility for their own safety
Agreeing to be aware of their own limitations, to be responsible for the condition, adequacy and safety of their equipment, and to ride neither to endanger themselves or others
Agreeing to hold the Club and its officers and other members harmless from all claims (including those resulting from negligence or omission), including claims for physical injury or loss suffered in connection with Club activities
Agreeing to notify the ride leader of any medical condition or information they feel that the leader should know about before participating in the ride
Note: If a rider has any concerns about participating in any form of physical activity, they should consult their GP before giving their consent to taking part in riding with K20 Cycling Club.
General etiquette
Whilst the above ‘Group riding rules’ apply to ALL riders taking part in K20 Cycling Club group rides, the following points of etiquette will help improve the safety, quality and enjoyment of Club rides for everyone concerned.
1. It is preferable that K20 Cycling Club kit is worn on Club rides
2. When riding as a group, riders should:
Communicate effectively amongst the group at all times
Be mindful of all other riders in the group and inform the group leader if a rider has been dropped of the back
Rotate the front rider at regular intervals
Not ride off the front or back of the group. (The group may become stretched out on hills but should regroup as soon as possible)
Ride in single file on busy or narrow roads or when riding around bends
Ride in pairs only when safe to do so, lining up handlebars
When riding as an odd number in pairs, have the single rider positioned directly behind the pair in front and not at the back of the group
Never ride more than 2 abreast
When going from pairs to single file, the outside rider goes in front of the rider on the inside
When safe to revert to pairs, the rider formerly on the inside accelerates up to join the rider formerly on the outside
Not half wheel (overlap wheels from behind)
Use appropriate hand signals to indicate hazards to the riders behind
Stay up with the group and maintain a safe position in the group
Bring an energy snack and drink
Carry a mobile phone and money
Wear appropriate clothing - anticipate a change in weather conditions
Use front and back lights all the year round to maximise visibility
Carry a bike lock to secure your bike at cafe stops
3. In terms of bike maintenance and care:
Riders are expected to make sure their own bike is safe and roadworthy
Regular servicing will avoid unnecessary mechanicals; once a year or every 1000 miles is recommended
Riders should carry 1-2 inner tubes, a method of inflation (preferably CO2 canisters)
Tyre levers and a multi-purpose tool (even if riding on tubeless tyres)
When a mechanical occurs, the whole group will stop and assist with the repair
The most common mechanical suffered is a puncture; each rider is responsible for changing their own inner tube
Other mechanicals (ie broken spoke or snapped chain) may be repairable on a ride, but a rider may need to arrange to be recovered. In these instances, the group will wait until a recovery plan is in place before continuing with the ride
4. Each ride will have a designated ride leader and their role is to:
Provide the route, control the speed and keep the group together
Make the appropriate arrangement for any cafe stop, including booking a table where necessary
Ensure that the ride leaves the designated start point on time
In the event of dangerous weather conditions, cancel the ride
Where appropriate, give direction to the group to improve the group riding dynamics
5. The highway code must always be followed but members are also asked never to:
React to car drivers; no gesticulating or shouting regardless of the driver’s behaviour
Wave drivers through on a ride; it must be the driver’s responsibility to decide when it is safe to pass
Warning calls when cycling in a group
These calls and signals are universal to all experienced cyclists - please use them at the appropriate times
“Oil or Car back“
There is a vehicle coming up behind the group
“Oil or Car front”
There is a vehicle approaching towards the front of the group
“Single out”
A call from riders at the back of the group when a vehicle is unable to pass the 2 abreast column safely. This call must be relayed forward by everyone to ensure that the move to single file is executed quickly and safely. The standard procedure is for the outside rider to drop back behind the inside rider. The call “single out” alerts everyone to the need to slow up and create spaces in the inside file.
“Clear” and “Oil or car on Left/Right”
This call let's following riders know at junctions, when the group is joining or crossing another road, whether or not the road is still clear. If the group cannot stay together the first ones across ride slowly until the others catch up.
“Pothole”
Any pothole that could cause a rider to fall. If possible indicate where it is so that following riders can steer away from it and not into it. Do this by either pointing or adding to the call “on the left (or right).”
“On the Left/Right”
A general warning of some kind of hazard - usually parked cars or pedestrians.. For hazards on the left an alternative warning is to put your left hand behind your back, pointing to the right, away from the hazard. Give way to pedestrians - they can feel intimidated by cyclists just as we sometimes feel intimidated by motorists.
“Stopping” and “Slowing” (or” Easy”)
If you brake without letting those those behind know your intention they can easily run into you
“Puncture”
Let the others know and they will wait while you repair it. (You will probably be given help).
“Horse(s)”
The group is about to pass horses and special care is needed. Pass as widely as possible. Make sure that both the horse and rider are aware of your presence and if you are approaching from behind call out. Pay attention to any request by the horse rider - they know the temperament of the horse and its likely reaction to a group of brightly clad cyclists.
Additional Resources
Cycling Hand Signals
Stay safe when group cycling on the roads by using these five important hand signals, kindly provided by British Cycling.
1 STOP
Hand straight up in air. Group is stopping for a junction, puncture or because there is an obstruction in the road.
2 SLOW
Move one hand as if gently patting an invisible dog. Group is slowing down or just easing things back a bit.
3 OBSTRUCTION
Waving/pointing behind back indicates that there is an obstruction such as a parked car or pedestrian and that the whole group needs to move in the direction indicated to avoid it.
4 TURN
Left or right hand extended out to side. Direction of turn/change in direction coming up.
5 BELOW
Pointing down at road sometimes with a circling motion to obstruction on road such as a pothole or drain cover that needs to be avoided. Be sensible with this one and only point out major obstacles. This signal is often accompanied with a call of “below”.