Safety

Code of Conduct for all Affiliated Clubs and Riders

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RIDING

East Cape Cycling and its affiliated clubs strives to promote a safe and enjoyable cycling environment for all its members in the company of other cyclists. It endeavours to lead by example and relies on each of its affiliated club members to take responsibility to achieve this. By being a East Cape Cycling affiliated club member, you are expected to adhere to this code of conduct. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including expulsion from the affiliated club. Safety is paramount to the enjoyment of cycling. Awareness and consideration are fundamental to ensuring a cycling environment that is safe and fun. It is the responsibility of each individual to practice safety in respect of their own actions, as well as in their conduct towards other cyclists, motorists and road users.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

· HELMET- must be worn on all rides.

· GLOVES AND GLASSES - are important and recommended protective gear.

· ROAD WORTHINESS - of bicycles and equipment must be maintained.

· LIGHTS (both front and rear) - must be utilised whenever riding in the dark. Be visible to oncoming cars. It is recommended that rear "flashers" be used even in daytime to alert other road users to your presence.

· REFLECTORS (belts or anklets) - should be worn when riding in the dark in such a way that they are visible to traffic.

· CELL PHONE - should be carried for safety in event of a breakdown, crash or getting lost etc. Program your emergency contact number in your phone under the international name ICE (In Case of Emergency)

· IDENTIFICATION- wear your name on your helmet so that fellow members can identify you and mark your bike with your name and phone number.

· CLUB KIT - wearing of club kit is expected on all official East Cape Cycling calendar events.

RIDING ETIQUETTE AND CONDUCT

· BE PREDICTABLE - ride in a consistent manner - keep in line. Do not swerve or move unexpectedly.

· INDICATE - learn accepted cycling hand signs and use them. Click here for accepted hand signals that may be used.

· DO NOT HIT THE BRAKES - look ahead at what is happening on the road and in the bunch and anticipate the moves by the cyclists ahead of you.

· KEEP ADEQUATE DISTANCE to AVOID OVERLAPPING- be defensive to avoid being brought down.

· OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD - conduct oneself with the same consideration as one would expect from any other road user, particularly motorists. Aggressive gestures and behavior by cyclists, will alienate motorists and is likely to lead to endangering other cyclists.

· STOP at ALL RED TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS and UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS - where one's route crosses over an intersection and there is a group of riders following, do not cross, even if the traffic light is green, unless you are sure that the whole group will be able to cross safely before the light changes.

· DO NOT HOLD UP FOLLOWING TRAFFIC - where ever this is practical - i.e. Single file on single lane and busy roads where motor vehicles are frequently coming past. It is illegal to ride two abreast, but traffic officers overlook this provided it is done safely. Only ride two abreast where the road is quiet, there is a tarred verge and/or a double lane. No stopping in the road.

· BIKE SKILLS - learn to handle your bike confidently in all situations. Ask someone experienced to assist you. You need to know how to ride through corners, how to "jump" over obstacles, what to do when your handle bars lock, when you bump into a fellow cyclist or when your front wheel connects with the rear wheel of the bike in front, etc.

· AGGRESSIVE OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR - towards fellow club members, other cyclists or other road users must be avoided. Remember that no cyclist in a bunch will deliberately try and cause an accident, so there is no need to shout at fellow bunch riders. A calm reminder to keep in line, not brake suddenly, etc. is all that is required. There is also no need to be aggressive or abusive towards other cyclists who may not be affiliated club members, or to motorists or other road users. Even where such other persons are in the wrong, aggressive or abusive behavior by any member reflects badly on the club, East Cape Cycling and cycling in general. Moreover, it could lead to retaliatory conduct endangering the safety of other cyclists.

· CITING DANGEROUS PEOPLE - cycling together in bunches requires strict enforcement of discipline to ensure everybody's safety. Report to your Club Committee any incidents with motorists or cyclists where their actions endangered cyclists and where they were transgressing any road laws - provide facts and details i.e. dates, registration numbers, motor description, witnesses etc. The Club or East Cape Cycling will try and trace the motorist and attempt to positively influence them to take more care.

ORGANISATION AND SUPPORT

· RIDE CAPTAIN - must be appointed or elected for each club group ride. They will be responsible to ensure that good order and safety are maintained. This could mean stopping for stragglers or accidents or ensuring someone goes back to assist with a puncture or breakdown. Every club member riding in the group must submit to their direction & decision during the ride.

· GROUPINGS - it is preferable that cyclists of equal ability and fitness ride together. No more than 10 to 15 is a manageable bunch for a Club Ride - therefore bunches should be divided when necessary. It is important to choose a group where one is comfortable and within one's capability. It is unfair to expect a group to wait for a rider when it was that rider who chose too strong a group. Also, if a rider rides with a weaker group (e.g. because he wants an easier ride), he must not set the pace of that group, but leave it to the regular riders of that group to determine the pace. If the strength of a bunch varies significantly, the ride captain must split the bunch and nominate a second ride captain for the other bunch. Under no circumstances are lady cyclists to be left behind on their own.

· OUT AND BACK RIDES - they are intended to ensure that people who drop off or have a puncture are not 'abandoned'. Circular or destination routes obviously require care to be taken that people are not simply left - particularly, where it may be unsafe for an individual.

· USE THE "BUDDY" SYSTEM - every rider should, at the start of a ride, ask another rider to be his "buddy" for that ride. Each rider should then ensure that his buddy is not left behind at any stage.

PROVINCIAL AND CLUB SPIRIT

· Promote provincial and club spirit by riding together and in club kit whenever possible. Greet fellow members, and other cyclists, when you pass them, in a polite and friendly manner. Acknowledge patient and considerate conduct by motorists or other road users with a friendly "thank you" wave of the hand. Attend the club or provincial functions where practicable.

· Particular care should be taken to make any visitors to your club or ride feel welcome. At the start of the ride the ride captain should welcome them and ensure that they will be looked after.

· Affiliated club members are at all times expected to treat other club members, other cyclists, motorists and other road users with the utmost respect. Any conduct that is unlawful, that may bring the province, club or its sponsors into disrepute or could be an embarrassment, is prohibited.

Acknowledgements: Cresta Wheelers Cycling Club - Gauteng (original document)

Cycling on the move in the province