Etiquette

BELLAVELO VALUES

To increase the number of women riding bikes and promote a positive view of women’s cycling

To offer an encouraging, supportive and inspiring atmosphere where riders can acquire the knowledge and skills to progress their cycling – whatever their level
To support all our riders from the newcomer to the more advanced, providing opportunities for all
To promote friendships across the group and enjoy and benefit from the social aspects cycling brings

BELLAVELO ETIQUETTE

Must always obey the highway code
Should be polite and respect other road users and always promote a positive image of women's cycling whether wearing club kit or not
Should go out of their way to welcome, encourage, include and support new members of the club and other women cyclists they meet
Are encouraged to join in club and community activities contributing whatever skills they have
Should be proud to be a BellaVelo
Should always be punctual
Should be able to repair their own punctures before joining a group ride

things to take on a ride

All riders must carry mandatory items on each ride

Mandatory	Optional
2 inner tubes that fit your bike	first aid kit
food and water or your own sports drink	emergency tyre boot
phone	chain breaker
pump and/or gas canister	multi tool
tyre levers	front light (depending on conditions)
Garmin/Wahoo or other navigation device (unless you know the route)	puncture kit
working rear light	spare hanger
ICE band	foil blanket
money (cash too)	Value
cafe lock	Value

RULES OF THE ROAD

Please ...

Obey the Highway Code at all times
Always wear a helmet and make sure your bike is road-worthy (brakes checked, chain oiled, tyres pumped up)
Ride two abreast if possible but go single file on busy roads. Try to think what is best for the group and other road users. Don't be the kind of cyclists that annoy car drivers
Bring food and drink on all rides over an hour
Make sure you are wearing appropriate, and ideally reflective, clothing
Use mud-guards between end October and end March
Ride in a straight line staying about half a metre behind the bike in front
Ride at a steady pace without surging
Check for yourself whether it is safe to go out at junctions even if you have heard the call ‘Clear’
Look out for other members of the group on a ride and support and encourage everyone
Let the ride leader know if anyone is struggling
Only come on a ride if it is within your capabilities. Please check if you are unsure
Be aware of road positioning and ensure the group rides in this manner when appropriate
Know how to change position in the group (see below). If unsure ask your ride leader before setting off
Know how to form into single file from 2x2 and back again, this should be done by the outside rider falling in behind the rider on the left

Please don’t…

Ride in a group of more than 8 – the ride leader will split the group above this number
Forget to use calls or hand signals to warn of road hazards. If you are unsure what these are, pls ask
Ride off the front
Stop pedalling especially if you are on the front as this can cause other riders to think you are slowing down
Overlap wheels or ride between the wheels (“half-wheeling”) of the cyclist in front as this can cause an accident. Please stay in two straight lines handlebar to handlebar
‘‘Swamp’ cars at lights or intersections, stay in 2x2 formation or single file
Forget your lights. A constant, not flashing, rear light is advisable on all rides.
Forget to let other cyclists know you are passing

HOW TO RIDE IN A GROUP

In addition to reading the guide below, we also recommend that you watch the following video guides to group riding:
Video 1 and Video 2

HAND SIGNALS AND CALLS

Hand signals
It is essential that you repeat these down the group so everyone can see. This will prevent punctures and possibly accidents.

Single hand up or down: Means rider needs to stop or slow down. May also call ‘Slowing’, ‘Stopping’
Point out hazards in the road such as pot holes, manhole covers etc. Shout pot hole left/right if you don't want to take your hands off the bars
Arm out left or right: Everyone needs to indicate when turning left or right
Left arm signalling behind back: Signal the cyclist is about to move out into the road, e.g. to pass a parked car, to go round debris in the road.

Calls
It is essential that you repeat these down the group so everyone can hear:

“Car Up/Car Back”: Means a car is ahead or a car is behind
“Hole”: As well as pointing out the pothole, a shout of “hole left” or "hole right" helps the group to avoid
“Slowing”: Usually accompanied by a hand signal. The cyclist in front needs to slow down
“Stopping”: Brake! Group will be stopping
“Clear”: To indicate that a junction is traffic free. You must check yourself and not rely on others
“Single file”: Get into single file safely and promptly

ride cancellation

The decision to cancel will be made by the ride leader no later than 6pm the night before the ride.
The ride leader will send a notification via TeamApp to inform riders of the decision.

insurance

Insurance
As a British Cycling affiliated club, BellaVelo is provided with third party (public) liability insurance with an indemnity limit of £15m. Third party (public) liability insurance indemnifies the club and its officials against their legal liability for personal injury, death and/or property damage to a third party arising from their negligence.

Clubs and club officials must endeavour to follow best practice guidelines laid down by British Cycling as these form the basis for cover agreed with our insurers.

For more details please see:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubinsurance

incident reporting

As an affiliated member of British Cycling where an incident occurs during a club activity which involves injury, illness or property damage sustained by any party, or where there was potential for injury, illness or damage, an Incident Report Form will be completed and provided to the BellaVelo Steering Committee and British Cycling.

More information can be found here:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubs/article/20140514-Club-Resources-0

Where incidents occurs during a club activity which does not involve injury, illness or property damage the incident should be reported directly to the BellaVelo Steering Committee by emailing [email protected]

It is the responsibility of the ride leader to report incidents. Where it is not possible or appropriate for a ride leader to complete the report another rider may.