Bunch Riding Rules and Etiquette

Cycling is a funny sport, there are many unwritten rules and etiquette, including for casual bunch rides.

You may know some of these, you may even know all of them, but in the interest of keeping everybody safe it’s worth taking a few minutes to read them.

These basic suggestions are to help you enjoy riding with the peloton (French word for bunch of cyclists). If you are bunch riding and another rider makes a suggestion about your riding don’t be offended as it will be advice offered for your safety and that of your fellow riders in the peloton.

When I started riding I didn’t understand why random riders would, from time-to-time and in no uncertain terms offer their advice. Normally I would take offence that is until it learnt that like any sport there are ‘rules’, and they are:
Eyes Ahead
DON’T LOOK BEHIND! Looking over your shoulder greatly increases the chance of touching the wheel ahead. This can ealiy result in you and riders behind falling. If you’re passing a slower rider, look under your arm to see if it’s safe to move across.

Focus four or five riders up the line so that any ‘problem’ will not suddenly affect you. Scan the road ahead for potential problems, red lights etc, and be ready.

Be Predictable
Brake gently and call out “slowing” if necessary. Just stopping pedalling may be enough.

Re-Group
If the group splits after lights or longer climbs slow down or in some cases stop to allow the bunch to regroup. Stop and wait to assist riders who puncture.

Road Laws
Obey ALL road rules, lights, pedestrian crossings, stop signs etc. In law a bike is a road-going vehicle and subject to Police fines.

Two Abreast
Riding side-by-side is legal, but common sense dictates that in some places single file is safer.

Following a Wheel
Keep your front wheel to either side of the wheel ahead of you. Avoid following directly behind the wheel in front. It allows more room if the rider ahead must brake suddenly. An appropriate gap between your front wheel and the person in front is 1m. Keep your hands close to the brakes in case of sudden slowing. Sometimes people who are not used to riding in a bunch will feel too nervous at this close range – riding on the right side can help feel less hemmed in.

Half Wheeling
When on the front of the bunch, ride directly beside the person next to you.

Crossing Wheels
Avoid overlapping your front wheel with the wheel ahead. Doing so risks touching wheels . . . and you don’t want that.
Handlebars
Unless you are on the front of the bunch both hands must always be on the hoods (tops of brake levers) or on the drops (lowest handlebar section) with two fingers on the brakes ready in case of the unexpected. Front riders are able to hold the tops of handlebars.

Fill the Gap
If there’s a gap ahead of you move forward to fill it. If there’s a spot next to you, signal for someone to fill the gap from behind, or you can peel off to the rear of the bunch.

Communication
Communicating to the other riders in the bunch with hand signals is encouraged, however many accidents are caused by people trying to alert riders of a risk but become a risk themselves. If you move smoothly and predictably around parked cars or slower cyclists allowing plenty of room you will only need to signal for a hazard bad enough to cause an incident. Most obstacles can be seen by all riders, use your common sense. If it’s safe to do so, you can gesture for things like pot holes, broken glass and parked cars.

You may also alert the other riders in the bunch verbally.

Loud and clear calls
Riders on the front are the eyes of the bunch and must point to all obstacles (holes etc) and communicate the problem in a loud, clear voice.
Vocal alerts

“Slowing!”  
Called when there’s a noticeable slowing of the bunch

“Stopping!” 
For when the bunch needs to stop quickly

“Car Up!”
If there is parked car ahead or a car pulling out of a side street

“Car Back!”
If you hear a car coming from behind and riders are close in the path of a passing car

“Riders!”
When passing slower riders, this alerts them and the peloton of each other

Bumping a Rider
Brushing shoulders, hands or bars with another rider often happens in bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction. Try to stay relaxed through your upper body as this helps absorb any bumps.
Your Bike
Keep your bike well-serviced, clean with good tyres and brakes adjusted. An un-roadworthy bike is a danger to everyone in the bunch.





Image courtesy of Cycling Tips