RIDE LIKE A BANDIDO

The Bayside Bandido Code to Riding Safely

The Bandidos are one of the more visible groups on the road. As a result we are easily recognisable. It is in our long term interest to have a safety conscious profile

BEHAVE YOURSELF – How may we respect each other

THEM RULES – The Law

YOUR EQUIPMENT – How it should be

COMMUNICATE – Our essential characeristic

BE SKILLED – What we must aspire to

ANTICIPATE – Don’t be a victim

UNDERSTAND YOUR ENVIRONMENT – Roads & Natures laws

BEHAVIOR

RESPECT EVERYONE ON THE ROAD.

- Ride to support the weakest rider in your group

- If someone has a flat, stop and help them, don’t leave them on their own. Especially on a long ride.

- Do your bit to make sure everyone in the group has a great ride

- Communicate frequently (see below)

- Refrain from following poor conduct; cycling’s reputation with other road-users is at stake. Understand that your conduct is an example to others.

- Ensure that a split group rejoins - this eliminates rearward riders jumping a red light to stay on the pack

- Do not take both hands off your handlebars in the peleton - do it at the back

- Do not use your mobile in the peloton

- If you really wish to race on public roads, be prepared to fall of your bike, and blame no one but yourself for its consequence.

RULES OF THE ROAD

- Cyclists must abide by the road rules just as motorists do.

- Bicycles are classified as a vehicle and penalties apply to offenders.

- Sharing the road is about obeying the road rules and giving respect to all road users.

- Cyclists must stop at red lights. For larger cycling groups,riders may have to separate to obey a red signal

- Small groups and individuals can use a ‘hook turn’ to turn right at intersections.

EQUIPMENT

- If your equipment is not safe. Get it fixed. Dont ride in a peloton with faulty equipment.

- Always wear a proper accredited bike helmet

- Try at all times to wear visble equipment

- Always, always use lights (front and rear) between dusk and dawn

- Worn cleats will bring you and others down. Dont sprint with them.

- Worn brakes wont. Dont ride ride without good brakes, properly set up.

- Maintain and replace your chain regularly with a proper mechanic.

- Always take a pump and puncture repair kit with you

COMMUNICATION

- Sudden changes in on the road can be hazardous to others, especially in larger cycling groups. Recognised signalling or verbal communication of your intentions enhances road-user safety for all.

- Use your arms to indicate stopping or turning. Always use your arm when turning.

- Always verbally communicate with other riders. We use : "slowing", “stopping”, "bike up", "car back", "pothole", “car door”, “lights up” etc

- Clear Back - Calling from the rear – When moving right to avoid a car or slower rider - there should be a response from the rear of the pack of "Car Back" or "Clear Back". If clear, then the rear right rider should signal with the arm that the pack will be moving right. This allows car drivers to get a better picture of what the peleton is

about to do.

SKILLS

ROAD-RIDING AND PELETON SKILLS

Riders need to develop adequate cycling skills for the safety of themselves and other road-users. Pack riding by its very nature is dangerous. In pursuit of efficiency we forego a degree of safety. Skill and use of this protocol will help immensely.

- Keep your thumbs under the handlebars in case of sudden bumps.

- Keep adequate space around you to avoid close overlapping of wheels or cutting in too soon after passing.

- Keep your handlebars parallel with others to avoid your bars being hooked by riders around you.

- Do not surge in the peloton. Keep it smooooth. Feeling frisky? Break away.

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITY

- If you bring a new rider to the Bandidos, take responsibility to ride with them at the back and teach them how to ride like a Bandido

- If you dont know how to ride in a peloton. Inform a Bandido on the ride. Ride at the back and find out how to ride safe (read this code)

- Ride with the right group, dont ride with a group that is too fast for you, try and organise yourself into a suitable group

- As you approach your limits of respiration, your ability to concentrate and be alert diminishes sharply. Back off.

ANTICIPATION

- Ensure absolutely that other road users have seen you, otherwise assume you are invisible and expect anything to happen

- Look down briefly and ensure you monitor the location of the wheels in front of you

- Always look ahead and be aware of what is happening in front of you.

- When safe to do so, briefly glance to left, right and rear and understand your situation. In peloton this is done safetly by placing your hand on the back of another rider. Dont do this if riding hard or about to stop.

- Be alert of cars from behind or a car pulling out onto the road. Be aware of car doors opening by spotting drivers inside the car. Try to make eye contact with drivers and alert other riders of possible danger.

- Beware of pedestrians, they are unpredictable, and will protect zebra crossings with their lives

- Beware of light jumpers - they will be the end of you

UNDERSTAND YOUR ENVIRONMENT

SAFE ROAD-USAGE.

- Keep as far left on the road where practical, and allow clear passage of passing traffic.

- Cyclists are permitted to ride two abreast however, in some circumstances it is safer to ride single file. At times, it may be preferable to use more of the lane to deter traffic from squeezing past. Give clear signals of your intentions.

- Recognize lane markings. When necessary to use outer lanes, you may only cross broken white lines to pass.

- Do not cross unbroken white lines or double white lines.

- Do not pass on the left of a rider. If it is unavaoidable - vocally warn them before doing so

- Respect how difficult it is for larger vehicles to pass cyclists with care. Do not roll back in front of them at red lights.

RIDING SAFELY

- Road cycling can be extremely rewarding but not if people are injured in the process. - Recreational cycling should have a focus on safety before performance.

- Roads are slippery in wet weather, adjust your safety margins accordingly

OTHER VEHICLES

- You will always lose in an impact situation, ensure the other driver has seen you. Look for their eyes making contact with you. Assume the worst.

- Never tailgate behind large vehicles

- Large vehicles need more room to move and stop. Keep your distance. Beware of their turbulence when passing.

- Bicycles make minimal noise when rolling. Beware of those silent passers by hooking you when you veer off course. In turn inform people you are passing with "passing"

- Beware of parked vehicles. Look for a driver. If so, keep clear of a door opening or a sudden accelareation to fill your non existent road gap.

THE DARK

- LIGHTS - you can never have too many - tell other riders that their lights are inadequate or batteries need replacing.