Rider Responsibilities

last updated:  June 19, 2018  

The Basics

1. Maintain your bike in good working condition.
   
2. Choose your ride carefully to match your current abilities for both speed and distance.
   
3. Print your name on the ride sheet and provide emergency contact information.
   
4. Inform the ride leader or sweep if you must leave the group before the end of the ride.
   
5. In case of physical or mechanical problems, members should aid each other and inform the ride leader or sweep.
   
6. Follow the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road and the Ten Tips for Safe Group Riding (listed below) at all times. Here is a link to the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road
   
7. Wearing a helmet is required on all EBC rides.
   
8. If you are involved in an incident or accident, complete this EBC Incident Report and submit it to the EBC board.

Group Riding

1. Be predictable.
   • In a group, your actions affect those around you, not just yourself.
   • Riders expect you to continue straight, and at a constant speed.
   • Signal your intention to turn or slow down before you do so.
2. Use signals.
   • Use hand signals to indicate turns and point out hazards to others.
   • Left or right arm straight out to indicate a left or right turn respectively.
   • Left arm out and down with palm to the rear to indicate stopping.
3. Give warnings.
   • Ride Leaders should call out right turns, left turns and stops, in addition to hand-signalling.
   • Announce turns before the intersections to give riders a chance to position themselves.
   • Try to avoid sudden stops or turns except for emergencies
   • When announcing conflicting traffic:  indicate the direction and where the conflict is expected. i.e.
     • "Up-right!" (or left)
     • "Back-right!" (or left)
     • "Car-right!" (or left), etc.
   • It is more important to indicate where the conflict is than what it is.
4. Change positions correctly.
   • Slower moving traffic stays to the right;  faster to the left.
   • Pass slower moving vehicles on the left.  Announce your intention to do so.
   • Announce passes on the right clearly, as this is not a usual maneuver.
5. Announce hazards
   • Most cyclists do not have a full view of the road while riding in a group.
   • Announce potholes and other hazards so others can avoid them.
   • Call out the hazard and point down to it, either left or right.
6. Watch for traffic from the rear.
   • The last rider should frequently check for overtaking cars.
   • Announce "Car back!" clearly and loudly.
   • It is also helpful to announce "Car up!" on narrow roads or when riding two abreast.
7. Watch out at intersections.
   • The Ride Leader should announce slowing or stopping at intersections if necessary.
   • Cyclists should not follow others through intersections without scanning.
   • Each cyclist is responsible for checking cross traffic.  If you must stop, signal.
8. Leave room for cars.
   • On narrow road or during climbs, leave space between every three or four riders.
   • Motorists will utilize the longer intervals to pass the group.
   • Always yield to traffic in the roadway.
9. Stop off-road.
   • When stopping for mechanical issues or regrouping, always move clear off of the road.
   • You should only move back onto the road as a group if conditions allow.
   • Always yield to traffic in the roadway.
10. Ride single file.
    • It is illegal in some areas to ride more than two abreast.
    • Ride single-file between intersections. Double up when the group stops.
    • When taking the lane, double up and take the whole lane.  Call out "Taking the lane!" to your fellow riders.

More Help & Tips for Riders

• Help & Club Docs    Go to this page for a monumental amount of rider and hiker help.