Group Safety Update 13 Sep 2011

The size of our cycling group is growing rapidly and with more people cycling together we want to re-emphasise the importance of following the group riding tips provided on the board. Please take the time to read them again, even if you are an expert rider - it is easy to forget best practice. Based on observations during the last few rides we would like to stress the following:

The relay of hand and verbal signals from the front to the back is vital. If you are at the front of the group the safety of everyone behind you rests on your shoulders. We have had one or two dangerous near misses where either the front riders have failed to signal debris and other potential hazards or the signal has not been passed back. This is an essential part of group cycling. If you are not familiar with the signals you must ask one of the regular riders and they will let you know.

With such a large group it is important that we stay as close together as possible. If gaps start appearing, even small ones, and then close, the riders at the back are constantly speeding up and slowing down as the long train expands and contracts. So please keep close - but this does require concentration. Do not fixate on the wheel just ahead of you - look up and you will see how the group is moving, see hand signals coming down the line and be less inclined to brake or move suddenly.

If we see things going wrong we will say so at the time; please take these comments in the spirit they are intended - we need to ensure group safety.