Group Riding Guidelines

See our Video PSAs and Group Riding Brochure

Club rides should be enjoyable and safe for all participants. Each of us should be role models for other roadway users. Groups cyclists are typically the most visible members of the cycling community—we can be billboards for exemplary behavior, or we can reinforce the stereotypes that cyclists are scofflaws. The impressions our actions leave on the motorists we encounter has a tremendous effect on cycling advocacy. Cyclists, and groups of cyclists, who run stop signs and red lights in view of motorists perform a disservice to every one of us.

There are several places in Florida where the behavior of some groups has tarnished the image of cycling to the point where local ordinances have been considered which would limit our right to the road.

The following are some guidelines and tips to improve group safety and enjoyment, as well as the public perception of club rides.

Basic Rules of Right-of-Way

Every vehicle driver has a fundamental right of first come, first served. This is the foundation of all the rules of right-of-way.

  • Respect motorists’ right-of-way. Stealing right-of-way (e.g., running a 4-way stop sign when a motorist arrived first) will give the motorist a negative impression of all bicyclists.
  • Establish your right-of-way honestly when entering a higher-level road. Do not roll out in front of motorists, expecting them to simply go around you. Wait until it is clear for your group to roll out and legitimately establish itself in the lane.
  • Respect your own right of first come, first served. It is not necessary or safe for a group (or individual cyclist) to move out of the way of every overtaking motorist. The group should hold its line in a safe lane position and expect to be passed safely and courteously as any other slow-moving vehicle. If a significant number of motorists are unable to pass, it is appropriate and courteous for the group to find a safe place to pull over and let that traffic pass (as is also expected of slow-moving vehicles).

Stop Signs and Red Lights

Lead riders should stop at all stop signs and red lights—always respecting the right-of-way of others

Stop in the right-most lane in the direction of the route:

  • When traveling straight, use the right-most thru lane—never travel straight in a right-turn only lane. Merge left from a shoulder or bike lane to prevent right-turning motorists from cutting you off.
  • When turing right, use a right-turn only lane (if one is available)—do not stay in a shoulder or bike lane, this can cause the group to be pinched in the turn by a right-turning motorist.
  • When turning left, use the right-most left turn lane, unless the group plans to make another left turn from the new road.

At a stop, bunch-up and take control of the lane. This allows the group to proceed through the intersection as rapidly as possible. When it is time to move, accelerate up to speed (cross the intersection before clipping into the other pedal). After the intersection, the group should move into a line to the right as appropriate. Lead riders should slow to allow everyone to regroup.

Generally, it’s better to stop in the line of traffic and not pass stopped motorists on the right. When passing a queue of stopped traffic, lead riders should consider the following:

  • Is it possible that a motorist could turn right across the path of the cyclists?
  • Will passing be easy (bike lane or paved shoulder) or difficult (narrow lane) for motorists downstream of the signal?

A lead rider who does pass on the right should not overtake the lead car in a stopped queue. Although stopped motorists preparing to turn right are supposed to signal and be positioned as far right as practical, some neglect to do this. At a stop sign or light, only pass a single motorist on the left if he or she is preparing to make a right turn.

Never lean on stopped motor vehicles.

Yellow Lights

Should a traffic signal change from green to yellow, a group’s lead rider should alert all other riders and come to a stop (if there is time to do so safely). Only if riders cannot safely stop should they proceed through a yellow light. The lead rider(s) should wait for others in the group to catch up once the light turns green again.

Note: Lead riders should also apply this principal in other traffic conditions which may result in the group splitting up (e.g., small gaps in oncoming traffic when a group is turning left).

Position and Lane Changes

Before changing lanes or position within a pace line, remember to always look behind for traffic (bicycle or motor vehicle).

When a pace line needs to change lanes it is best for the rear rider to check for traffic and call the merge.

Group Communication

When possible, alert other riders of potentially dangerous conditions (e.g., dogs, potholes, approaching cars, etc.). If there is a significant obstacle (like a branch or hole that could cause a crash), it is not enough to simply call it. The lead rider should move the group well away from the hazard.

Riders should signal stops and turns, either verbally or by hand. Hand signals should be used to signal a rider’s (or the group’s) movements to motorists.

Never say “Clear” to other riders approaching an intersection. Each rider must make his or her own decision and learn not to be dependent on the judgment of others, as it may be faulty or conditions may suddenly change.

Use discretion in calling "car back." We know there will be cars back there. Reserve the call for when there is some significance or the group needs to actually do something about it (ie: the lead rider is planning to come off the pull, someone is hanging outside the pace line, or a motorist is attempting to pass unsafely). In a narrow lane, do not move to the edge of the road when a car approaches behind. Hold your line, they can pass when the oncoming lane is clear.

Two Abreast vs. Single File

By Florida law, bicyclists may ride two abreast unless impeding traffic. State law is difficult to interpret, and left to the law officer’s discretion as to what impeding traffic means. It is also unclear as to whether a rider may pass two riders abreast, although logic would dictate that this practice is legal.

While on a two lane road with wide lanes, if continual oncoming traffic prevents motorists from easily passing, ride in single file or consider splitting the pack into smaller groups. On a two lane road with narrow lanes, be aware that unsafe passing by motorists can happen frequently when riding single file. Depending on the lane width, ride far enough from the right edge of the road to be visible, to have adequate maneuvering space, to avoid surface hazards, and to discourage overtaking motorists from attempting unsafe passes.

Riding single allows better maneuverability around surface hazards. On roads with bad pavement or poor sight-lines it is sometime safer to remain single file.

For moderate-size groups a double pace line can actually facilitate overtaking my making the group length shorter. See, Understanding Group Lane Position (PDF).

Riding to the Right

With exceptions (e.g., to make a left turn or to avoid hazards), Florida law requires bicyclists to ride to the right when going slower than other traffic. However, bicyclists are allowed to move farther into the lane (take command of the lane) if the lane is too narrow to safely share with a motor vehicle. See this illustration (PDF) of lanes that can and can't be shared.

Crashes and Other On-Road Problems

If a crash or mechanical problem occurs the group should stop, move off the road (unless someone needs to direct traffic around a fallen rider), and assess the situation to determine the appropriate appropriate course of action.

Leaving Start and Rest Areas

When starting or leaving rest stops, the lead riders should maintain an easy pace until everyone is underway and has had time to catch up and settle in. Stringing out riders makes a group difficult to pass.

Pace Lines

Riding in a pace lines is only for the experienced, but can be easy to learn. When riding in a pace line, adhere to the following rules:

  • Avoid overlapping your front wheel with the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. Any sudden direction or speed change may result in the wheels touching AND YOU WILL GO DOWN.
  • Be alert! No matter how good a group is, there will be surprises.
  • Avoid using your brakes to slow yourself in a pace line; especially if you are near the front. Control your speed by “soft-pedaling.” Less experienced riders can initially keep to the rear of the line to give themselves time to observe the process. When they join the regular pace line flow they should keep about a half bike length between their front wheels and the riders ahead and decrease the distance as experience and confidence increase.
  • The lead rider takes a short turn in the front moves to the left side (after checking behind) and drifts back to the back of the pack. New riders may be intimidated about maintaining the pace at the front; they should be expected to take a shorter pull and drop back as soon as it is safe to do so.
  • Do not ride in aero bars while closely following other riders.

For more details on pace line safety and etiquette, visit the BOBbies website.

The Golden Rule

Always keep your cool. Even if motorists (or other cyclists) wrong you, remain courteous.

Tripping Traffic Signals

Many traffic signals are operated by detection systems embedded in the roadway (unless the road has been resurfaced or recently constructed/reconstructed, rectangular- or round-shaped pavement cuts may be visible). Many of these devices are capable of detecting bicycles, but not all. In the absence of a motor vehicle, place as many bicycles on these devices as possible to trigger the light to turn. If a motorist approaches from behind, but is not on the visible detectors, move forward and politely motion the motorist forward over the detection device.
   
   

Florida Bicycle Association | P.O. Box 916715 | Longwood FL 32791-6715

The Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) was incorporated in 1997 for educational and charitable purposes.
FBA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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