Cycling etiquette varies between clubs, with most rules focusing on safety, while others promote enjoyable and social rides.

Here’s how to ensure a safe, fun club experience with BOCC:

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1. Every club ride is led by a ride leader who sets the pace and gives directions. 

   • Follow their guidance and avoid suggesting alternate routes unless specifically asked for by the ride leader. If you wish to lead a ride, volunteer for another day.

   • Inform the leader or another rider if you plan to leave the group to prevent unnecessary delays at the next regrouping point.

   • Notify the leader or another member if you need to stop, ensuring the group can wait for you.

2. Arrive at the designated start time. Expect the group to leave 10 mins after the meet-up time. 

3. The club run is not a training bash. Rides can still be quite challenging and often in hilly terrain, so suitable gearing is advisable.

4. Bike/equipment should be in mechanically and safe working order, with special attention to tyres, brakes & chain.

5. Ride distances typically range from 25-35 miles to a café stop, with options for a 15-20 mile direct return or a longer route of 55-70 miles depending on the season and weather.

6. ​Expect average speed to be around 13 – 16 mph over the full distance, depending on weather & terrain.

7. The group will wait at junctions, and wait and assist with mechanical problems or a puncture from members in the group. The group do try to keep together; however, we often split on hills, and re-group straight after. It is, however, a good idea to carry a mobile with at least one group members number saved in case we do lose you.

   • Always carry ID and emergency contact details in the event of an accident.

8. ​Expect to become isolated if you ride out of shouting distance ahead of the group route leader.

   • When leading, ease your pace out of turns, bends, or climbs to keep the group intact. Periodically check that no one is left behind and slow down if necessary.

   • It is every rider’s responsibility to check no-one is left behind and communicate to those in front if anyone drops off.

9. Wear bright visible clothing suitable for the expected weather conditions; carry a rain jacket. It’s a good idea to look at a forecast before leaving home. Helmets are recommended for group rides due to increased risks from close riding. We encourage members to wear their club jersey if they have one.

10. ​Be considerate to other cyclists in your group by using mudguards when you know the roads will be wet or muddy; this will also mean we all arrive at a cafe in a reasonably clean state. Should a cyclist turn up on a wet/mucky day without mudguards, we think it reasonable to ask that they ride at the back of the group. 

11. Bring snacks and drinks, as stops can be spaced up to two hours apart. Refuel during stops to avoid fatigue.

12. ​Carry at least one spare inner tube, tire levers, and a pump. Even if unfamiliar with their use, someone can assist. Bring money for café stops.

13. ​Our public image is important to us, as is our safety. Please ride sensibly and be considerate to other members of the group and other road users. Remember that we are all ambassadors of our chosen club and our chosen sport. Therefore, when riding on the public highway, riders must obey the Highway Code. Rules 59-82 are the most relevant to cyclists. Note Rule 66: “Never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”. 

    • Note that the code does not define how narrow or how busy or bendy a road needs to be for the single file rule to be applied. If singling out reduces the safety of the group (i.e. tempting cars to overtake on a bend), then it is sensible to continue two abreast. 

    • Say thank you or wave to motorists who stop and wait to let you through, say hello to other cyclists to encourage them in our sport.

14. On occasion drivers behind may be repeatedly sounding their horns and driving aggressively. There is nothing to be gained by responding with gestures – they are likely to be ignorant of the Highway Code.

    • If the group is larger than 8 and cars are trying to overtake consider breaking into two groups if safe to do so, leaving a gap between the two for a car to pull into during an overtaking manoeuvre. If a vehicle has been patiently following the group for a long time i.e. on a long ascent, consider pulling over where safe and convenient to do so to allow the vehicle to pass. Note Rule 169: “Do not hold up a long queue of traffic.

15. When encountering horses, slow down, communicate with their riders, and pass when safe to do so.

16. ​​When possible, signal to other riders any potholes, glass, loose gravel, street furniture/obstacles, parked cars, pedestrians. Pass information down the group as the riders at the back may not hear the instruction from the front. Pass information up the line if a rider is ‘off the back’ of the group or is 

    • See below for example calls and signals

17. ​Important: please understand that cycling clubs/groups cannot be held responsible for your safety; you are part of a group of individuals, each of whom accepts the inherent risks. It is recommended that you obtain Third Party insurance; both British Cycling & the Cycling UK  have suitable policies at reasonable premiums.

18. Don’t rely on others to make your decisions on the road; keep your eyes on traffic, turnings, and other cyclists as if you are cycling on your own.

    • Do NOT use headphones; you need your ears for safety as well as sociability.

    • Don’t ride on aerobars in the group, ride with your hands near enough to apply the brakes when required

    • Avoid half-wheeling—it pressures others to increase speed and can escalate into a race. Match the group’s pace.

    • When drafting, avoid overlapping wheels to prevent collisions. Adjust spacing for experience and conditions; allow more room when descending or on wet roads.

    • On steep descents, leave extra space between riders and consider single-file riding for safety.

    • Maintain smooth, controlled braking and avoid abrupt moves; communicate clearly if needing to stop

    • If you clear your nose or throat on the road, make sure you are well away from other riders!

19. If the pace suits you, take turns at the front and communicate when moving aside. Keep group pace in check and heed calls to ease up..

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Here are some common calls that riders may use, don't be afraid to use them!

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‘Car up’/’Car back/behind’       Car approaching from behind. This does NOT mean you need to single out, it’s just safety information.

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‘Car down’/‘Car front’       Car approaching from the front

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‘Hole’/‘Hole left’        Pothole, possible with location on the left (Similarly ‘Hole right’)

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‘Middle’           Something to be avoided by passing left or right of it.

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‘Gravel’             Loose stones on a bend or in the road

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‘On the left’    Parked cars, walkers, slow cyclist etc., the need to move out and pass.

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‘Stopping’       Stopping for a junction, a puncture, put jackets on, etc.

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‘Slowing’         Slowing before junction or hazard but may proceed without stopping.

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‘Horses’           We always slow down and warn horses and riders of our approach, then pass wide and slow and listen to any instructions from the horse rider.

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‘Single out’             Change from two abreast to single file. This is done by the person on the right dropping into a gap behind the person on the left. The front riders may need to accelerate, and the rear riders slow down to stretch the group and create gaps between riders to allow the right-hand riders to drop in.

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‘Going left’     Turning left, similarly ‘Going right’ and ‘Straight on’.

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‘Clear’ or ‘OK’ Indicates to following riders that it is safe to pull out at a junction. (Don’t rely on this, check for yourself)

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‘Car’ or ‘Car left’ or ‘Car right’ indicates the approach of cars at a junction and it is not safe to pull out.

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‘Easy’ or ‘steady’     Slow down the pace a bit to allow others to keep up or catch up.

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‘Glass’              Broken glass in the road

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‘Leave a gap’  Split a large group into two to allow cars to overtake

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‘Puncture’      A rider has punctured and will be stopping. Group must find a safe place to stop.

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It’s everybody’s responsibility to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind; let the leader know if a rider is ‘off the back’, i.e. is 10 or 20 yards behind the main group.

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Hand Signals

Apart from the normal Highway Code signals, cyclists have additional signals for fellow riders.

 

Pointing down and left (and sometimes shaking the hand) means a pothole or hazard on the road surface on the left. Similarly, right.

 

Left arm bent behind the back and pointing right indicates a hazard such as a parked car on the left and the need to move out.

 

When indicating right or left make sure the arm is horizontal and can’t be mistaken for pointing out a pothole. Keep the hand flat and vertical for best visibility.

 

Slowing down right-hand gentle moved up and down accompanied by ‘Slowing’ or ‘Stopping’.

 

Further information can be found at:

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https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/cycling-guide/ride-group
https://road.cc/content/feature/know-your-group-riding-signals-and-calls-265501

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code

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Finally, don't stress too much over these guidelines; mistakes happen, but now you’re aware of them.