It’s a good idea to review some basics of riding in groups – mostly being considerate of other users of the road…  Remember that we cyclists have to follow the rules of the road, just as motorists do.  We have the right to be on the road, and we have to take the responsibility that comes with that.  Many of us have horror stories of times when things went wrong that could have easily been avoided.  Here are some good ideas for riding with others.

• Be predictable.  Don’t weave side to side, making it difficult for others to anticipate what you’re going to do next.

• Signal your intent to turn or stop.  Indicate left turns by extending your left arm straight out to the side; right turns by extending your right arm straight out to the side (or using your left arm, and bending your forearm up at the elbow); slowing or stopping by extending your left arm out and bending your forearm down at the elbow, palm facing back.  It also helps to call out that you’re slowing or stopping.

• Please communicate with one another.  It’s good to call out and point to debris in the road, traffic approaching from behind (“car back”), traffic coming from ahead (“car up”), and the curious dog.

• Always pass on the left.  Follow the principle that slower traffic stays to the right and faster traffic passes on the left.  You don’t want to be squeezed between the edge of the roadway and a rider on your left.  That cyclist may have to move to their right to avoid something in the road, and being on that person’s right, you risk blocking them or getting pushed off the road surface.

• Give the passer room to move over.  If the rider passing you needs to move back into the line of riders, create a gap between you and the rider in front of you.

• Don’t follow other cyclists too closely.  It’s too easy for a front wheel to overlap a leading rider’s rear wheel.  If the wheels touch, even a little, it’s likely that one or both riders will fall.  Leave the pacelines to really experienced cyclists.

• It is legal to ride two abreast in Georgia.  But of course it’s considerate and safer to ride single file in areas with traffic and/or limited visibility.  Discretion is always the better part of valor on a bike.  Even though it’s legal, the person driving the car might react badly to feeling blocked in the road.