Road Ride Safety
The guidelines below should be read and followed by all riders who join - or intend to join - road rides with Redhill Cycling Club. For the Club's full risk assessment document, please see the link at the foot of this page.
BEFORE RIDING
YOU are responsible for riding sensibly and cautiously within the rules of The Highway Code to protect yourself and those around you including other riders, pedestrians and other road users.
If you have ANY doubts about your fitness or health, don’t ride until you have seen your doctor for the appropriate checks and been cleared as fit. If you feel unwell on a ride, let people around you know immediately and stop.
A good guide for joining a Newcomers' ride is that you should know from experience that you can comfortably ride a distance of over 20miles at an average of more than 12mph. For an intermediate ride, you should know that you can ride more than 45miles at an average close to 15mph. Do not join a ride outside your comfort zone to 'see if you can do it' unless you are absolutely confident in your fitness and ability to cycle home once half way out.
Check your bike and brakes regularly. Put problems right BEFORE you start. Learn how to repair a puncture and always carry appropriate tools: a pump, tyre levers, 2 x spare inner tubes plus other essentials such as lights and a mobile phone (NEVER to be used on-the-move). If riding with the club you MUST NOT wear earphones unless there is a medical reason for doing so.
Wear a helmet AND bright colours. Redhill Cycling Club strongly recommends and advises helmets. Learn how to fit and wear yours properly. If you come along to join a ride without a helmet, the leader of that ride may exercise discretion and not allow you to ride with the club on that occasion. Bright colours are essential as a dark-clad cyclist may be as good as invisible to a car driver in many circumstances.
In any conditions other than sure-fire good weather, carry a water-proof top. It is better to be too warm than too cold. Gloves/mitts are also essential, as is eye protection. If you fall, your palms need protection.
Use simple commonsense – don’t ride for hours in bright sun and think you won’t get burned. Take plenty to drink and carry food.
WHILE RIDING
If you are struggling in any way, you MUST let the leader (perhaps via a chain of riders in front of you) know so he can moderate the speed or discuss an easy return route for you, preferably with a ‘buddy’.
Experienced riders will speak up if they see any rider involved in unsafe manoeuvres or careless cycling. If you show yourself unable or unwilling to ride safely, you may be asked to leave the ride.
Riding two abreast in quiet lanes is often OK but you must never aggravate car drivers. Cars will often overtake riders courteously and should be thanked but some may not. Move safely into single file if instructed or if you have any doubts about a car's ability to pass you safely.
DON’T brake suddenly in a group if you can avoid it. Watch the road and surface ahead to anticipate, avoid, and warn others of, hazards. Learn from experienced riders how to recognise and point out hazards. Potholes, gravel, oil, branches, debris, pedestrians on the road, parked cars and even bollards can cause accidents if other riders can’t see them. It is dangerous to avoid a hazard yourself and not make following riders aware.
If you ever start to drop off the back of a group of riders, shout out to make them aware so they can slow the ride down. Likewise, if you see anyone else struggling, let the ride leader and those around you know so the group can slow or stop to assess the situation. Even if the pace is ‘too slow’ for you, DO NOT zoom off in front or you may get lost and leave a group concerned for you. WAIT at the next junction for the rest of the group.
AFTER YOUR RIDE
Check your bike again. Any noises? Tyre pressure OK? Does it need oil? Don't wait until next time you are about to start a ride.
Assess how you coped with the ride you have just done. Were you uncomfortable about any aspect of the ride? If so, speak to the co-ordinator of the ride or other experienced riders and discuss issues with them.
Allow yourself time to recover and eat/drink sensibly so you are in the best condition next time you venture out.
PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE GUIDELINES FOR YOUR SAFETY. THEY ARE NEITHER COMPREHENSIVE NOR ‘SET IN STONE’. GOOD RIDERS LEARN HOW TO MAINTAIN AND HANDLE THEIR BIKE WELL USING COMMONSENSE ALL THE TIME TO PROTECT THEIR SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS.
Redhill Cycling Club carries out a full risk assessment each year - you can download a PDF of this document by CLICKING HERE. This includes many of the potential hazards and dangers for road cyclists and ways of mitigating these. If you believe there are any dangers we have not considered or addressed, please get in touch via the contact form on this website.
