Bike Roswell! Ride Guidelines Explained
Our group ride safety guidelines are available online at: Bike Roswell Group Ride Guidelines. These guidelines are shared with all participants prior to each ride, which typically takes place twice per week. This document serves to provide additional context behind our approach to group riding and to foster mutual understanding among cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and other road users.
Purpose and Background
Bike Roswell! is committed to promoting safe, enjoyable, and responsible cycling within our community. This document has been developed to explain the principles that guide our group rides and to address common questions or concerns from the public.
Our ride guidelines are based on three key objectives:
Ensure the safety of our riders on public roadways
Minimize disruption to other road users, including vehicles and pedestrians
Comply with all applicable traffic laws as any lawful road user would
Why Do We Ride in Groups?
Group riding is a time-honored practice in the cycling community for several important reasons:
Safety – A group of riders is more visible to drivers than individuals scattered along the road
Support – Riders can assist one another with mechanical issues or physical fatigue
Camaraderie – Group rides foster connection and shared experience within the cycling community
Efficiency – Riding together, especially in formation, helps maintain steady pacing and communication
Group Ride Guidelines – Key Concepts Explained
Why We Ride Double Paceline
In many scenarios, riding two abreast (a double paceline) is safer and more efficient. This formation shortens the length of the group, reducing the time it takes for a motorist to pass. It also enhances communication between riders and increases the group’s overall visibility. Georgia law permits two-abreast riding. We instruct the riders to “keep it tight, keep it right” to minimize the group size and footprint on the road.
If the group would ride in a single file
It would be a much longer footprint for the car to overtake us
Many cars overtake even if there is oncoming traffic overtaking the bicycle in a less than 3 feet distance endangering the cyclist
Group Sizing
We strive to maintain manageable group sizes to improve safety and cohesion. Optimally groups of 12 riders or less. When necessary, larger groups are split into smaller ones with staggered starts. This ensures clearer communication, easier management by Ride Leaders, and a reduced impact on traffic.
This is dependent on whether we have enough Ride Leaders to split groups to these sizes.
Taking the Lane
In certain situations, riders may "take the lane"—occupying a full traffic lane for a limited time. This is legally permitted and is done to discourage unsafe passing by vehicles and to protect the group from hazards such as narrow shoulders, parked cars, or poor road conditions.
This is typically done prior to left hand turn and approaching roundabouts.
Calling Out Turns and Hazards
Clear communication is a critical part of group riding. Riders call out turns, stops, and potential hazards (such as debris or potholes) to ensure everyone in the group can react appropriately. This communication helps maintain safety not only for our group but for those sharing the road with us.
The Fine Print
Bike Roswell! is a nonprofit cycling advocacy organization dedicated to creating a safer, more bike-friendly Roswell. Our group rides are led by experienced volunteers who have reviewed and follow these guidelines to the best of their ability.
While every effort is made to ride safely and in accordance with the rules, it’s important to recognize that road conditions, traffic, weather, and rider dynamics can create situations where perfect adherence to guidelines isn’t always possible. We adapt as needed, always with safety and courtesy in mind.
For questions, concerns, or feedback, please contact us at info@bikeroswell.com. We welcome input from all road users and are continually working to improve our rides and our community relationships.
Bike Roswell! The process to review and amend the ride guidelines.
Our group ride safety guidelines are published here: Bike Roswell Group Ride Guidelines. These are shared with all participants prior to each ride, which typically occurs twice per week.
Purpose and Background
Bike Roswell! occasionally receives feedback from cyclists, motorists, and members of the public regarding how our rides are conducted. Some of this feedback expresses concerns about interactions with vehicle traffic or perceived safety issues. We take these comments seriously and continuously strive to balance rider safety, traffic flow, and community harmony.
Please note that our group rides are thoughtfully designed with rider safety as the top priority, while also aiming to minimize our impact on surrounding traffic. However, it's important to acknowledge that the presence of slower-moving vehicles like bicycles will inevitably influence the flow of traffic to some extent.
Decision-Making Process
Our group ride guidelines are regularly reviewed and improved through a collaborative, multi-step process involving several bodies:
Who Reviews the Guidelines:
Bike Roswell! Board of Directors
Bike Roswell! Ride Committee – a small group of experienced riders
Bike Roswell! Ride Leaders – volunteers who organize and lead each ride
How Feedback is Handled
Feedback or concerns can come from anyone: riders, ride leaders, motorists, pedestrians, or general public.
In addition to this the Ride Leaders communicate actively via a group chat, where issues and suggestions are openly discussed on a ride by ride basis.
Once a concern is raised:
It is reviewed by the Ride Committee.
If action is needed, a formal suggestion is drafted.
That suggestion is reviewed by the Bike Roswell! Board and then by Ride Leaders.
If approved, the official Ride Guidelines are updated and shared with all riders.
Regular Review Meetings
In addition to ongoing feedback, Bike Roswell! hosts a bi-annual Ride Leader Summit. These meetings provide a 360-degree review of our group rides and identify areas for continued improvement.
Questions, feedback? Drop us a note at board@bikeroswell.org