Social Cycling Groups Terms & Conditions

IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE

  • YOU MUST READ THESE GUIDELINES BEFORE TAKING PART IN A SOCIAL CYCLING RIDE.
  • YOU MUST BE AT LEAST AGED 16 OR ABOVE TO PARTCIPATE UNLESS ACCOMPANIED  BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.
  • SOCIAL CYCLING RIDES ARE NOT APPROVED BY BRITISH CYCLING AND YOU TAKE PART IN THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK.
  • USE YOUR COMMON SENSE WHEN SHARING INFORMATION OR MEETING NEW PEOPLE.  IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR WANT TO REPORT ANYTHING UNTOWARD THEN PLEASE CONTACT US.

Whilst the Services provided by British Cycling (‘BC’) are a forum for communication and do not include any element of organisation of the Social Cycling Rides (‘Rides’), BC provides the following as guidelines to consider when participating in any Ride whether you have registered for the Ride on www.goskyride.com or otherwise. British Cycling has developed these guidelines to help promote safe and enjoyable cycling on all Rides.

General

Health - Cycling is a physical activity and can be strenuous. Those that participate in the Rides (‘Riders’) should be in good health and any Rider that has a doubt about their health or fitness, or has a medical condition or injury that could be affected by exercise (particularly a heart condition), should consult their doctor before participating.  No-one should participate in a Ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Helmets – BC strongly recommend that all participants no matter what age wear a helmet. 

Meeting people – cycling is a social activity that involves communicating with and meeting different people, some of whom you may not know. You should therefore be vigilant and act with caution with someone that you are not familiar with, and exercise your best judgment in the circumstances. It is possible for people to misrepresent themselves. Assessing their truthfulness and honesty is your responsibility and you should trust your instincts.  Common things that give cause for concern may include without limitation: requests for private rides in remote or isolated locations at an early stage; someone asking inappropriate questions; and/or someone requesting a lot of personal information at an early stage.

It is recommended that for one to one meetings, where you do not know the other individual, you should remain in public rather than go to isolated locations and let somebody know where you are going.  Be cautious when you share personal information which may allow someone to make unwanted contact with you. 

If you have any concerns about any individual on a Social Cycling Ride you should report this by getting in touch with BC in accordance via the Contact Us.

BC Membership – membership of BC provides third party liability insurance. It is strongly recommended that regular cyclists register as a BC member in order to benefit from such protection (as well as other benefits. For details of BC Membership please visit http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership). Members should note that the terms of their insurance may only cover them in certain circumstances. Therefore, Riders who are BC members should ensure that they ride in accordance with the terms of their insurance to be sure that they are covered. 

Compliance with the Highway Code – private rides should be undertaken in accordance with the Highway Code (where relevant). Failure to do so could be used to help determine whether or not a cyclist has committed a criminal offence or is liable for damages. 

ON A RIDE

1. All Riders should be at least 16 years old (and have proof of age if required by the Ride Publisher.) Anyone who aged 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian and the Ride Publsiher of the Ride reserves the right to carry out the necessary checks and refuse participation in the ride should those checks not be satisfactory.

2. All Riders must read these Guidelines for Participation before taking part in a Ride and the Ride Publisher of a Ride should distribute copies of these Guidelines to all non registered (i.e. those who have not pre-registered but turned up on the day) Riders to read before the Ride begins.  

3. The group should ride:

i.No more than two abreast except when overtaking.

ii.In single file on busy roads and when it would otherwise be dangerous for vehicles to pass 

4. The group should use appropriate bike lights when cycling in hours of darkness.

5. The group should be courteous to other road users and should not cause an obstruction or interrupt the free flow of traffic.

6. The group should remain as one group throughout the Ride where possible and ride slow enough to allow time for the entire group to negotiate obstacles. 

7. In the circumstance that it becomes necessary for the group to split leading Riders should slow down or find a safe place to stop and reform as one group before carrying on.

8. The group should provide a supportive environment for all Riders. The group should always wait for the last Rider and agree to ride at the pace of the slowest Rider.

9. We recommend all adult Riders are responsible for their own well-being and that of any children that they accompany during the Ride and should be prepared for situations such as adverse weather conditions, mechanical problems and flat tyres.

10. We recommend that all Riders are prepared for all eventualities and carry the following items: refreshments, mobile phone, bike lights, bike pump, puncture repair kit, spare tubes, multi-tool, waterproof clothing.