Group Riding Tutorials

Cycling Hand Signals

Stay safe when group cycling on the roads by using these five important hand signals, provided by British Cycling.

1 Stop Hand straight up in air. The group is stopping for a junction, puncture or because there is an obstruction in the road. 2 slow Move one hand as if gently patting an invisible dog. Group is slowing down or just easing things back a bit. 3 Obstruction Waving/pointing behind back indicates that there is an obstruction such as a parked car or pedestrian and that the whole group needs to move in the direction indicated to avoid it. 4 Turn Left or right hand extended out to side. The direction of turn/change in direction coming up. 5 Below Pointing down at road sometimes with a circling motion to obstruction on road such as a pothole or drain cover that needs to be avoided. Be sensible with this one and only point out major obstacles. This signal is often accompanied by a call of “below”.

Group Riding Videos

British Cycling and GCN (Global Cycling Network) set up the Ridesmart initiative to help to ride safer.
 

Equestrians and Cyclists

 

We’re both vulnerable – lets work together.

Horses can move quickly and can weigh up to three-quarters of a tonne. If a horse is passed too quickly or too close, they may react and potentially cause injury to both the equestrian and cyclist.  

Cyclists and horse riders both have a statutory right to ride on byways, bridleways and roads. However, it is important to remember that while The Countryside Act 1968 gives cyclists the right to use bridleways, it states that cyclists must give way to horse riders and walkers. 

  • Alert the horse rider you are there, by calling out in advance ‘Hi, is it ok to pass?’ 
  • Give the horse and rider time to react. The rider might not be able to hear you straight away so it is a good idea to wait until they have noticed you before passing. 
  • Remember to give way. You must give way to horse riders on bridleways according to The Countryside Act 1968. 
  • Look out for narrow pinch points in the track or road ahead. It may not be safe to pass each other in a narrow space and it might be safer to wait at a wider point. 
  • Slow down or stop if the horse rider asks you to. The rider may feel that the horse is about to react to something, meaning that the horse might suddenly move forwards, backwards or sideways.
  • Pass wide and slow and never pass on the inside of a horse. If possible, pass with at least a car’s width.