Group Ride Etiquette

Much of the following is based on The Share & Be Aware Campaign – a partnership between The Wisconsin Bike Federation and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Zero In Wisconsin Campaign. Visit The WI Bike Fed’s website for details. Other information is provided by CyclingSavvy.

When out on a group ride, it is crucial that you take the utmost care to ensure the safety of pedestrians, fellow riders, motorists, and yourself.  

By following the basic rules, group rides can be safe and enjoyable experiences. Because group rides are so visible to motorists, they are opportunities to either be billboards for exemplary behavior or these rides can reinforce the stereotypes that cyclists break the law.  

Follow all traffic laws .

Hold your line. Ride in a predictable manner at a close, but a safe distance from the rider in front or next to you. 

• No weaving. 
• Maintain an even pace.  
• Don’t brake suddenly (at least try to announce “braking” so others know you’re doing so). 
• Ride bar to bar. When riding two by two, work to keep handlebars in the same line. 

Children see things from a very different viewpoint than adults do, literally. 

• Get down to their level and take in what they see … and take special notice of what they can’t see; the stop sign that’s a foot above their head, the oncoming traffic from the right on the road they want to turn out onto is blocked by the trunk of a car, etc.
• Help them take notice of what you see, like the sign, why it's important, and why they don’t notice it right away.
• Great for kids (and adults alike), here are some videos by the Wisconsin Bike Federation on how to ride safely. 

Under Wisconsin state law, bicyclists can ride two abreast unless traffic is impeded.

• Practice the Control & Release For Safe Passing (below)
• On higher-volume two-lane roads with little or no shoulder, you should ride single file in one paceline. 
• To avoid edge hazards, ride at least 3 feet from the edge of the right-most travel lane’s shoulder or rumble bars.
• On higher-volume multi-lane roads, those with wide and safe shoulders, and on low-volume town roads, you can ride two abreast.
• Larger groups make it difficult for motorists to find safe passing locations. Keep groups to around 20 riders or fewer. If you find your group exceeds 20 riders, break up into multiple groups. 

As stated above, being predictable is probably the most important act of keeping you and your group of riders safe.

Controlling the lane 

• Control & Release For Safe Passing – Climbing a hill or rounding a blind corner? Here's a CyclingSavvy article with embedded video for more insight on how to keep yourself safe. 
• Roundabouts (aka Rotary) – you want to be seen. Follow the left wheel mark motor vehicles have left as you enter and exit. Here’s a short video on how to enter and exit a roundabout. 
• Left-Hand Turns – as you approach the left turn with your group, the last person in the group checks for traffic. Once safe, enter the lane and yell out “Left Clear” to the person in front of him/her. This is repeated up the line to the first rider in your group. 

Point out road hazards with your fingers to alert the riders behind you. 

Use hand signals to indicate  

• Turns – left arm signals, keeping your right hand near your rear brake lever in case you need it. 
• Hazards – pointing with your finger, but only if it’s safe. 
• Stopping – left arm down with palm to the rear and fingers together.
• Slowing – left arm down with palm to the rear and fingers spread.

Use announcements with your hand signals for turns, stopping, and slowing. These verbal warnings given in advance of intersections or hazards give the other riders a chance to ready themselves. 

If you’re losing riders from your group off the back, let those in front know to adjust their pace. 

Cyclists should not follow others through intersections without first scanning and following all traffic signs and signals. 

It is the responsibility of all riders to determine if the intersection is clear. 

• Do Not Call Out CLEAR!
• Be aware that most crashes with motor vehicles occur at intersections.
• Treat stop signs as stop signs. 

Leaders are not only in the front of a group, but they watch your back too.

We recommend regrouping after crossing an intersection, 

• Stop about 40-50 feet after the intersection, preferably in a driveway or field entrance. 
• If everyone knows this is the practice, those caught up in traffic will know you’ll be waiting and will not be rushed to cross the busy intersection.
• Stopping 40+ feet away from the intersection allows motor vehicles to make a right turn toward the stopped cyclist(s) without infringing on them.

Hill Climbing – as you get to the last 30 feet of climbing, check it’s safe then move to the center of your lane. Hold out your “stop” hand signal, if you must, to keep motor vehicles at bay.

• This will signal motorized traffic from attempting to pass you. 
• Once you’ve cleared the hill, move back to the right-most edge.
• When the vehicle passes, give them a friendly wave and smile.
• Similar to the Control & Release For Safe Passing (above).