The document provides guidelines for leading safe and enjoyable group bicycle rides. It outlines responsibilities for ride leaders, including conducting pre-ride checks of bicycles and riders. Rules of the road and group riding etiquette are emphasized, such as riding single file, using signals, and announcing hazards. Proper group positioning is described to avoid overlaps and allow for smooth, predictable riding. Ride leaders should communicate intentions clearly and encourage adherence to guidelines to ensure rider safety.

1. Ride Leaders Manual
Group Riding Guidelines

2. Table of Contents
1…..Program Basics
2…..ABC Checklist
3…..Maine DOT Rules for Bicyclists
4…..Ride Checklist
5…..Group Riding Guidelines
6…..Incident Report

3. Bike to School Basics
Thank you for choosing to volunteer as a chaperone for Community
Bicycle Center’s Group Rides. Enclosed you will find important
documentation to assure a safe, successful and fun bike to school experience
for you and the students.
Scheduling: If your ride is scheduled, that is great. At the time of this
drafting there is no information concerning ride scheduling
Before the Ride: For each ride, there is a gathering time where everyone
will get organized and prepare for the ride. During this time, leaders will
check with the youth and make sure that both they and their bikes are
prepared for the ride. Five minutes prior to departure, there will be an
address to the participants which will go over the rules associated with group
riding.
During the Ride: During the ride, there should always be a “lead” and a
“sweep” chaperone. Other chaperones are free to position themselves in the
group as they see fit. During the ride it is important for the chaperones to
lead by example and follow the guidelines detailed in this manual.
Included in this manual is a detailed breakdown of group riding procedures.
This is information from the stand point of a group road ride at a baseline of
bicycling skill and is provided for you to gain a more complete
understanding of your responsibilities as a chaperone. For many of the youth
participating in these rides, this will be their first exposure to group riding.
Because of this there are five rules which we must reinforce.
1. Ride Single File!
2. Call out obstacles!
3. Keep a safe distance in front of you!
4. Ride on the right side of the road!
5. Only pass on the left!

4. Break Down of Material
The ABC Check List: The ABC Quick Check is a handy list of things
that should be checked and verified prior to beginning any bicycle ride.
This checklist is of increased importance when conducting a ride with
youth as their knowledge of bicycle maintenance and diagnostics are not
yet developed.
The Rules Of The Road (TROR): The TROR is a list of Maine traffic
laws concerning cyclists. Know these rules. They are there to protect you
and ensure a fun and safe ride.
Pre Ride Checklist: A list of things that both the ride leaders and
participants should be equipped with. A good ride is had by all if all are
prepared.
Group Riding Guidelines: This is a comprehensive list of guidelines
that should be followed when riding in a group. Some of the information
may not pertain to your particular ride, but is worth knowing. While
riding in a group is fun and fast, it is also more dangerous if these rules
are not adhered to.
Incident Report: If an accident occurs on a ride that you are
chaperoning, you may be required to fill out an incident report.
Familiarize yourself with this document. If an accident occurs, there will
be a person in charge of first aid, and a person who will be charged with
managing the group.

5. ABC Quick Check
The ABC Quick Check is an easy way for you to remember what parts of the bike you need to check in a
basic safety inspection. Practice the ABC Quick Check so that you can do it in about 45 seconds.
Ais for Air (in your tires)
o check everything to do with tires
o are they inflated?
o are they true (the wheel should be straight)?
o is there any looseness in the axle bearings?
o is there badly worn tread?
Bis for Brakes
o are the levers far enough from the handlebars?
o are the brake pads in the proper position, not too worn?
o do the brakes fully tighten against the rim?
o are the cables worn?
Cis for Chain or Cranks
o check everything to do with the drive chain
o is the chain on and lubricated?
o do the pedals spin freely?
o are the gear derailleurs in the correct position?
o is there any looseness in the bottom bracket?
Quickis for Quick Release
o are the levers on tight?
o are the nuts on the axles tight?
o are the levers flush against the forks?
Checkis for Final Check Over
o drop check to listen for loose parts (lift the bike a few inches off the ground, drop
it and listen for loose parts)
o check the headset for looseness (apply the front brake, rock the bike back and
forth)
o check the handlebars for looseness (hold the front wheel between your knees
and try to twist the handlebars from side to side, up and down)
o try your brakes as you ride off

6. Rules for
Bicyclists
Driving on the roads requires care and courtesy whether you are driving
a car or a bicycle. As road users, bicyclists must be predictable and
obey all traffic laws by riding in a responsible
SHARE manner. Bicyclists fare best when they
act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.
Do your part by being a good ambas-
sador to bicycling. Below are a few
THE ROAD bicycle driving rules for your review.
Thanks and have fun!
Maintain and Regularly Inspect Your Equipment Be Prepared for Conditions
Be safe and keep your bike tuned up. Take it to a bike Always carry appropriate repair supplies, clothing, and plenty
shop at least twice a year for professional inspection. of water when traveling by bicycle. When you use your
Secure any loads tightly to a rack or trailer. brakes in the rain, allow yourself extra distance to stop.
Wear a Helmet Correctly
Helmets are required by law
STOP
Obey All Traffic Laws
for anyone under 16 but Ride with traffic. Obey stop signs,
everyone should wear a traffic lights, and other traffic controls.
helmet to prevent head Bicyclists fare best when they act and
injury. Your helmet should are treated as drivers of vehicles.
YES NO
be level and snug.
Be Visible and Predictable
Wear bright colors. Ride straight in a predictable manner. Ride Single File in Traffic
Plan ahead to avoid obstacles. Signal before changing Always ride single file except when Car
directions. passing others. Also, notify other Back!
bicyclists of approaching cars.
Ride with Traffic
Always ride on the right side. Do not
pass motorists on the right. If you
approach an intersection with a right
turn lane and intend to continue
Warn Others When Approaching
Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians.
straight, ride with through traffic.
Be courteous by warning others with
a ring of your bell or a friendly greeting.
Watch for Potential Hazards Allow plenty of space when passing.
Scan the road 100 feet ahead for
hazards--drains, potholes, tracks, or
debris. Allow time to maneuver around
these hazards and negotiate with Always Ride with Lights at Night See and be seen!
traffic. Avoid riding into open car doors Bicycle reflectors are not sufficient
by giving yourself 3 or 4 feet. for safety. Maine State Law requires
a headlight and red taillight visible
View from behind
from at least 500 feet when riding at
Signal All Turns night. Flashing tail lights and reflective
Look back before you clothing are recommended.
make a lane change
or turn. Signal safely For More Information
in advance using one The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) advocates bicycling
of these signals. LEFT RIGHT or RIGHT safety, education, and access in Maine. Our vision is to
make Maine accessible and safe for all bicyclists so they
may comfortably and responsibly bicycle. The BCM
Making Left Hand Turns promotes bicycling for transportation, health,
You may turn left as a vehicle 1 by recreation, and fun to enhance our communities,
moving into the left side of the travel environment, and economy. Contact the BCM
lane (or left turn lane). OR Cross like at P.O. Box 5275, Augusta, ME 04332
1 2 a pedestrian 2 by stopping, dismounting, (207) 623-4511, BCM@BikeMaine.org
and walking across crosswalks. Some icons courtesy City of Portland, OR.
© Bicycle Coalition of Maine 2002 www.BikeMaine.org

7. Pre-Ride Checklist – Ride Leader
Community Bicycle Center
Ride Leader Bike Stuff
o Participant permission forms and/or emergency contacts list
o Permission to Treat forms for each cyclist
o Non-rider emergency backup contact phone numbers
o Cell phone with In Case of Emergency(ICE) numbers programmed
o Accident/incident report forms
o Emergency whistle
o Route map
o Snack money and/or energy bars
o Cable lock
o Camera & extra batteries
o Dry bag
o Panniers or bike trailer
o Rain gear
o First Aid Kit
o Bike repair tools:
o Multi-tool with chain rivet
o Tire levers
o 15mm wrench
o Pump and/or CO2 cartridges & dispenser
o Spare tubes: 26x1.50 and 700ccx23c and 24x1.50
o Patch kit – glue and patches
o Rag
o Duct tape
Ride Participants Stuff
o Water bottle with water
o Bike repair tools
o Tire fixing supplies
o Pump: dual valve (Schrader & Presta)
o Cell phone
o Route map
o Helmet
o Weather appropriate clothing
Pre-ride Briefing
o Ride route & anticipated stops
o Number of bikes & number of riders
o Point person & rear person
o Rules of the Road – ride predictably
o Hand turning, slowing, stopping, and hazard signals
o Verbal signals: “Passing on your left” &” car back”
o Bathroom before start of ride

9. Group Riding Guidance
Bike to School
I. Ride Leader and Ride Chaperons
A. Arrive early at the designated staging area to coordinate pre-commute activities.
B. Assign volunteers to manage: attendance check-in, ABC Quick Checks, and helmet fitting.
C. Assign volunteers to lead, roaming, and sweep bike commute positions.
D. Check students for loose shoelaces and loose pants on drive train side of bikes.
E. Be available to answer questions about the commute.
F. Ride leaders prepare for two minutes pre-commute talk.
II. Pre-Commute Talk
A. While participants gather in, take the opportunity to assess their bikes, helmets, and clothing.
1. New participants - you might casually ask them questions.
2. Turn back a rider at the start without a helmet or permission for Bike to School
commuting.
B. The following group riding skills should be made clear to all riders:
1. Impress upon the group that cycling with a group, as opposed to cycling alone, requires
special cycling skills and rules.
2. Safety has to be one of the major concerns of group riding. Describe Rules of the Road and
etiquette rules for group cycling.
3. Emphasize cycling predictably, no headphones use, cell phone talking, and no sidewalk or
lawn riding.
C. Emphasize predictable, single or double line riding attentive to local traffic laws and
common sense. Do not bunch up at lights or while riding—maintain the line.
D. Notify the group that you'll be indicating your intentions by using hand and voice signals,
such as stopping, slowing to take turns, and calling out conditions such as holes, glass, and car
doors. Expect them to do the same.
1. By not doing so, they might deprive a rider behind them from reacting to a dangerous
obstacle and might cause injury or damage to their bicycle. On the other hand, make
riders aware of their need to focus on their own in situations such as going through
intersections or turns by not always following the group blindly.
2. If riders operate in an unsafe manner or are disrespectful to the ride leader or other riders,
they will not be permitted on future bike commutes.
III. Group Etiquette and Rules
A. Etiquette
1. Be predictable
a. In a group, your actions affect those around you, not just yourself
b. Riders expect you to continue straight and at a constant speed
2. Use signals
a. Use hand signals to indicate turns and point out hazards to others

10. 3. Give warnings
a. Announce turns before the intersections to give riders a chance to position
themselves.
b. Try to avoid sudden stops or turns except for emergencies
4. Change positions correctly
a. Passes on the right are not a usual maneuver and not permitted
5. Announce hazards
a. Announce potholes and other hazards so others can avoid them
b. Call out the hazard and point down to it, either left or right
6. Watch for traffic from the rear
a. The last rider should frequently check for overtaking cars
b. Announce "car back" clearly and loudly
c. It is also helpful to announce "car up" on narrow roads or when riding two abreast
7. Watch out at intersections
a. Leader should announce slowing or stopping at intersections if necessary
b. Cyclists should not follow others through intersections without scanning
c. Each cyclist is responsible for checking cross traffic; if you must stop, signal
8. Leave room for cars
a. Good relations with motorists is the responsibility of every cyclist
9. Stop off roadway
a. When stopping for a mechanical or regrouping, always move clear off the road
b. Always yield to traffic in the roadway
10. Ride single file
a. It is illegal in Maine to ride two abreast.
b. Groups will be double file at times. Keep in mind that it’s the group’s
responsibility to be single file when being overtaken by traffic.
c. Group rides should NEVER be more than two across.
IV. Group Riding Skills
A. Positioning
1. Do not overlap your front wheel with the back wheel of the rider in front of you.
a. This is the number 1 reason for falls in a group ride.
b. If the lead rider swerves to avoid a hole or obstacle, the REAR rider will fall!
c. Every rider is responsible to monitor her/his own position.
d. Look at the lead rider's helmet or beyond, and become acquainted with the correct
distance of body-to-body.
e. Often referred to as “half-wheeling”.
f. The rider that is ahead has the right of way.
g. Ride right! Ride safe! Don't overlap wheels!
2. Moving into the line for traffic:
a. When you hear “Car Back”, you should be IMMEDIATELY looking for a place
in the right hand line. Call out “Car Back” to pass it up the line.
i. It’s important for the first person in line to maintain the pace or even speed
up. This prevents the group from bunching.
ii. If you have a rider to your left you should make a space for him.

11. iii. Remember that cars will overtake the group quickly so we must get into
line quickly but safely.
B. Be Smooth and Predictable
1. No sudden accelerations or slowdowns!
2. If a gap opens in front of you, try to close it gradually
3. Sharp braking should be used ONLY in emergencies
4. Do not move out to pass the rider in front of you without checking to be sure that you
don’t have another rider in your ‘blind spot’ (coming up behind you on the left)
5. Riders should verbally communicate upcoming stop signs: “SLOWING”, “STOPPING”
6. If you’re getting too close to the rider ahead:
a. Soft pedal
b. Sit up higher to catch more of the wind
c. Move over slightly to catch more of the wind (but don’t overlap your front wheel
with the next rider’s back wheel, and again, watch out to be sure there is not a
rider coming from behind who you would be cutting off)
d. Try not to coast – when the riders behind you see you coasting, they will slow
down too and cause an accordion effect
e. If all of the above do not slow you down enough, feather your brakes
7. It’s better to roll over minor obstacles like small holes or sticks than to make a sudden
move over or slam on your brakes.
8. Go to the back of the group to drink, eat or adjust clothing. When in the midst of the
group, keep your hands on the handlebars at all times.
C. Communicate
1. Hand signals and verbal signals
2. Right turn, left turn
3. Slowing, stopping
4. Pointing at obstacles and calling them out (you need to point before going by the obstacle
or you are not giving the rider behind you enough warning)
a. “Hole”
b. “Rough Road”
5. “Car Back”, “Car Up”
6. Move over for obstacles ahead (example, “Walker up”)

12. Incident Report Form
Community Bicycle Center
INJURED PERSON
Name_________________________________________________ Gender____ DOB____________ Age_____
Address________________________________________________Phone______________________________
Guardian____________________________________________ Phone_________________________________
Witness_____________________________________________Phone_________________________________
Witness_____________________________________________Phone_________________________________
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Were police called? Yes No If yes, police report #_______________Officer badge #______________
Was ambulance called? Yes No If yes, EMS report #_____________Attendant badge #_______________
Was injured hospitalized? Yes No If yes, hospital name___________________________________________
Could victim continue riding? Yes No Describe treatment at the scene___________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Date___________Time____________Location_______________Terrain_____________Weather___________
Program/Activity___________________________ Cause of Injury___________________________________
_____ Collision with another bicyclist? Name____________________________________________
_____ Collision with a motor vehicle? License plate # _____________________________________
Driver’s Name____________________________ Phone____________________________________
_____ Collision with a stationary object _______ A Fall _____ Other_________________
Incident Description________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Form completed by_________________________________Date/Time_______________________________
Subsequent action taken:
__________________________________________________________________________________________