Swindon Road Club (SRC) - Code of Conduct
Please ensure you read the Swindon Road Club Code of Conduct before joining club rides
The following code of conduct is devised for the safety and benefit of Swindon Road Club and its members. Swindon Road Club is a successful Club and promotes safe cycling. The Code is no more than a formalisation of the basic principals of decency, manners and common sense that the Club would expect from all its members and covers how it’s members should act when riding on a Club ride.
When riding as a Club we have obligations:-
To the Club to behave in a manner that represents it in a good light, to us in terms of our own safety and well being and:
To our fellow Club members by assuring that our behaviour does not threaten the safety of other club members and road users.
Responsibility to the club
MANDATORY
For your safety and the safety of others the Club expects all riders on Club rides to adhere to the rules of the road. Any disregard for the rules set out in the Highway Code and behaviour that endangers you or others may lead to disciplinary action by the Committee and in extreme cases involve Police action plus expulsion from the Club.
Club Rides are not races and members are expected to treat them appropriately. The Club provides a varied programme of rides from the social group to a fast training run, however all of these rides are for the enjoyment and development of its members and are not unofficial road races.
Responsibility to yourself
All bikes should be in reasonable repair and fully roadworthy. It is advised that a minimal tool kit is carried plus a mobile phone in case of emergencies.
Club runs continue regardless of the weather, it is advised that you dress appropriately and carry a waterproof on all the best of days. Club runs generally stop at cafes; however you are advised to carry water and food with you.
If you are a new member on a Club ride and are not confident of finishing the ride or suffering from mechanical problems let the Ride leader or other riders know as soon as possible.
Responsibility to the group
Tri-bars – the use of all forms of spinacibars and tri-bars are strictly banned. Whilst the Club accept they may be permanently attached to your bike they must not be used during a Club ride.
Mudguards – Mudguards protect you, your bike and fellow riders: please respect your fellow Club members. Between October and March and during inclement weather the use of mudguards is highly recommended.
Ride Discipline
Riders should ride no more than two abreast unless overtaking and only if it is safe to do so.
Riders should endeavour to ride smoothly and not brake without warning if it can be avoided – Your actions have impacts on the riders behind you.
Shout warnings and signal to other riders if there is potential danger in the road e.g. moving motor vehicles (in front & behind the group), stationery or parked vehicles, pot holes, any other obstacles, walkers and horses.
When riding as a group you should always allow for riders behind you.
Groups should allow appropriate gaps in traffic and slow to allow enough time for the entire group to negotiate obstacles safely.
Should the group be split due to any circumstances all riders in the front group should slow down or find a safe place to stop and reform before proceeding.
All riders in a group will always have an obligation to stop and assist any of its riders suffering from mechanical or physical problems.
The group should always wait for the last rider unless that rider clearly requests to be left to continue on their own.
No rider should leave the group without first notifying the Ride Leader or other riders.
Ride Leaders
Ride Leaders will endeavour to ensure that the rules laid out in the Code of Conduct are adhered to and that the Club ride is conducted in a safe and well-organised fashion. However it is the responsibility of ALL riders to assist the Ride Leader in this duty.
On a Swindon Road Club sanctioned ride i.e. those advertised on the SRC WEB site, the Ride Leader is the official representative of the Club and their instructions must be adhered to.
Rider Leaders are to make themselves known to all new cyclists and Club members
Ride Conduct
Know the Highway Code
Look over your shoulder before starting any manoeuvre
If you need to stop for any reason shout “STOPPING” before you start to slow down. Always try to stop close to the verge or a place that is safe,
Ride in single file on busy roads and in circumstances where it would be dangerous for vehicles to pass, if in doubt always defer to the Ride Leaders judgment.
Never ride more than two abreast unless overtaking and only if it is safe to do so.
Keep a safe distance from the rider in front.
Take care on country lanes, looking over hedges and listening for approaching traffic. When riding in the outside position of the leading pair always hold back approaching blind corners – there maybe be a car approaching.
Change to single file riding when the call “single out” is heard – this maybe so a car can pass or an obstacle needing to be passed. This is normally done by each inside rider moving forward to allow the outside rider to slot into the gap made behind.
Pass Ride Leaders instructions and messages up or down the line of riders so everyone can follow suit.
Approaching or following junctions each rider should check that any riders following are still there, if not wait before or just after the junction and inform the Ride Leader.
At a junction do not block the sight of motorists already waiting to pull out.
Riders wishing to leave the group must notify the Ride Leader or another rider in the group.
Other Safety Factors
Cycles must be legal and road worthy, please carry front and rear lights when necessary. Consider duplicating rear lights – LED types are now very good.
Swindon Road Club strongly recommends the wearing of light coloured or reflective clothing at night.
Swindon Road Club strongly advocates ALL Club members plus all other cyclists to wear a hard shell helmet that meets an internationally accepted safety standard – at all times whilst riding their bike.
Swindon Road Club members should at all times be courteous to all other road users
The Code of Conduct is set out to ensure ALL members of Swindon Road Club can gain maximum enjoyment and benefit from Club Rides and to promote safe cycling, it also outlines the minimum standards expected by ALL members on ALL sanctioned Club rides.
