Charles River Wheelers: Rider Guidelines

If you're new to the club or group riding, please review the guidelines below to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Membership and Insurance

Non-members are welcome to join us for up to two rides before being required to become a member. Membership supports the CRW Rides Program and other club activities. Click here to join CRW.

Preparing for the Ride

• Read the ride announcement to ensure you're prepared for the distance, pace, and terrain.
• Contact the ride leader if you have any questions.
• Ensure that you have navigation (GPS route, cue sheet, etc).
• Check that your bike is in working order.
• Helmets are required and should be properly adjusted.
• Carry tools and supplies for fixing a flat tire.
• Bring identification, emergency contact info, health insurance ID, money, and a credit card.
• Stay hydrated by bringing sufficient water and snacks.

Register for the Ride

• Registration allows for CRW members to receive supplemental medical insurance if they are injured on a CRW ride and their primary insurance does not cover all of their medical costs. If a member doesn’t register and is injured, our insurance company assumes the member was not there and will refuse coverage.
• Registration allows the organizer to send email to all members who have signed up for their event which is especially helpful if there is a change to the event (such as a postponement or cancellation due to inclement weather). If you are not registered you will not receive this message from the organizer.
• Registration helps the ride leader organize the event so everything goes more smoothly and we all want to contribute to a great event!
• If your plans change and you can no longer attend the ride, you can easily cancel your registration. 

At the Ride Start

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time for bike assembly and pre-ride preparations.
• Listen to the ride leader's pre-ride talk for essential information.
• Cooperate with the ride leader to spread out riders in large groups.

***Safety Guidelines***

We promote safe, courteous, and lawful cycling practices. Members and guests are expected to ride responsibly and encourage the same among fellow riders. Riders are expected to ride safely at all times, and to observe the safety practices detailed below, and as communicated in real-time from ride leaders or other riders.

Group Riding Safety

• Signal turns, lane changes, and hazards.
• Maintain a safe distance from other riders.
• Break into smaller groups when necessary.
• Avoid using portable music players or aero bars.
• Always exercise road civility.

Paceline Safety

• Participate in paceline riding only if skilled and with permission from other riders.
• Ride predictably, without sudden movements.
• Do not overlap wheels with the rider ahead.

Riding Safely in Traffic

• Announce the presence of vehicles with "car back" or "car up."
• Move to single file when safe to do so.
• Never call out "clear"; each rider is responsible for their own safety.
• Be aware of other vehicles and be considerate.
• Use a rear-view mirror for added safety.

Riding Safely around Pedestrians

• Stay alert and anticipate pedestrian movements, especially with headphone users or in congested areas. Maintain spacing between riders to allow for sudden stops.
• Always yield at crosswalks - stop for crossing pedestrians and watch for hesitation or uncertainty.
• When passing: Announce "Walker up!" and signal to other riders, alert pedestrians with "Behind you!" or bell, maintain safe distance, and slow down around children/pets. Walk bike in crowded areas.
• Ride predictably: Avoid edge riding near obstacles, maintain steady lines, signal clearly, and ensure pedestrians see you before passing.
• Path etiquette: Pass on left with clearance, moderate speed for unexpected movements, wait for acknowledgment or ensure wide berth when passing, and be extra cautious with children or distracted pedestrians.
• Stay courteous - thank pedestrians who yield and respect shared spaces.

By following these guidelines, you'll help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. Enjoy the ride!