CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RIDING
Eastern Province 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 Eastern Province 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 EPC 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,
EPC 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 EPC 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)
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