THE NJINGA COLLECTIVE CODE OF PRACTICE: CLUB RULES & ETIQUETTE

- The Njinga Collective wants riders to gain maximum enjoyment from our rideouts – the aim is to have fun, stay safe and enjoy getting out on our bikes.
- Please remember the Highway Code, rules, regulations and laws of the road apply and respect other road users. 
- Ensure your bike is road-worthy and you’re confident riding on the open roads. 
- All our RC lead rideouts are non-drop rides - everyone will be brought back as a group 

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
- A condition of joining that Njinga Collective members are expected to have read and accepted the Club Rules & Etiquette. In doing so, riders accept that their safety is a matter of personal responsibility and take part in rideouts at their own risk. 
- Riders acknowledge that they accept any risk associated with cycling on public roads and take responsibility for riding within their own capabilities. 
- Riders agree to follow the directions and decision of the Ride Captain on any particular ride that they join. The Ride Captains are experienced riders and are there to keep the group together and to help guide everyone around the routes. They may ask you to adjust your speed or road position in order to make the ride safer and more enjoyable for everyone involved. Please listen to them. 
- Should a rider breach rules & etiquette on a rideout, the Ride Captain will politely point out any deviations to the rider(s) concerned and seek compliance. If they believe that a rider’s conduct is putting others at risk they have the authority to exclude the offender from the rideout and will subsequently report the circumstances to the club committee who may wish to take further action.
- The Risk Assessment for Njinga Collective Rideouts can be found on Team App.

INSURANCE
- As a British Cycling affiliated club, The Njinga Collective is provided with third party (public) liability insurance with an indemnity limit of £20m.
- Third party (public) liability insurance indemnifies the club and its officials against their legal liability for personal injury, death and/or property damage to a third party arising from their negligence.
- Clubs and club officials must endeavour to follow best practice guidelines laid down by British Cycling as these form the basis for cover agreed with our insurers (details at www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubinsurance) 
- The Njinga Collective club insurance policy only cover claims against the Club and its officers (including Ride Captains) but NOT individual riders.
- Although this is not a legal requirement, we strongly recommend all riders carry their own third party (public) liability insurance - You should consider joining either British Cycling or Cycling UK – membership includes both Third Party insurance and free legal assistance should you need to claim against someone else. 

CALLS & HAND SIGNALS WHEN RIDING IN A GROUP
It’s essential that you repeat all calls and hand signals down the group so everyone can see and hear

- "CAR BACK": There is a vehicle coming up behind the group.
- "CAR UP": There is a vehicle approaching towards the front of the group. 
- "SINGLE OUT": A call from the Ride Captain at the front or back of the group when a vehicle is unable to pass the 2 abreast column safely or if the road conditions make it sensible to do so. This call must be relayed backwards/forward by everyone to ensure that the move to single file is executed quickly and safely. The standard procedure is for the outside rider to drop back behind the inside rider. The call “single out” alerts everyone to the need to slow up and create spaces in the inside file. 
- "CLEAR" and "CAR on LEFT/RIGHT": This call lets following riders know at junctions, when the group is joining or crossing another road, whether or not the road is still clear. If the group cannot stay together the first ones across ride slowly until the others catch up. YOU MUST ALWAYS CHECK YOURSELF AND NOT RELY ON OTHERS 
- "HOLE": Any pothole that could cause a rider to fall. If possible indicate where it is so that following riders can steer away from it and not into it. Do this by either pointing or adding to the call "LEFT (OR RIGHT)".
- "ON THE LEFT/RIGHT": A general warning of some kind of hazard – usually parked cars or pedestrians. For hazards on the left, an alternative warning is to put your left hand behind your back, pointing to the right, away from the hazard, signalling that the cyclist is about to move out into the road. Give way to pedestrians – they can feel intimidated by cyclists just as we sometimes feel intimidated by motorists. 
- INDICATION: Arm out left or right. Everyone needs to indicate when turning left or right.
- "STOPPING", "SLOWING", "EASY": Right Hand moving in an up and down action. If you brake without letting those behind know your intention, they can easily run into you 
- "PUNCTURE": Let the others know and they will wait while you repair it. (You will probably be given help). 
- "HORSE(S)": The group is about to pass horses and special care is needed. Pass as widely as possible. Make sure that both the horse and rider are aware of your presence and if you are approaching from behind call out "BEHIND YOU". Keep pedalling slowly as you pass to keep noise from your freewheel and gears to a minimum. Pay attention to any request by the horse rider – they know the temperament of the horse and its likely reaction to a group of brightly clad cyclists. 

GENERAL ETIQUETTE
- Ride steadily. It’s advised to ride with your hands on the hoods, relax, keep a steady line and constant speed while in a group. Avoid sudden breaking and surges - any sudden change is magnified as it reaches riders at the back and so can have dramatic consequences. 
- No racing. You can race to your heart’s content in organised competitive events but please not on Collective rideouts. Do not overtake the rider/riders at the head of the group. If you have to, then do not push your way back into your original position but rejoin at the back of the group as soon as possible. 
- We will ride two abreast where it is safe to do so but always be prepared to single out when necessary. Ride in a straight line staying about half a metre behind the rider in front – do not overlap either forwards or sideways (half wheeling). Overlapping forwards gives you no chance to avoid the rider in front if they swerve or fall and overlapping sideways results in the group presenting a three abreast profile. Never ride more than two abreast. 
- When approaching a hill anticipate the gradient and change gear in good time. Missing a gear change on the steep bit can bring you to a sudden halt – not a good thing for the riders behind you! Ride safely at all times. Follow the requirements of the Highway Code as they apply to cyclists and guidance from your Ride Captain. 
- Efforts will be made to keep the group together at all times. Around junctions, at the top and the bottom of the hill the group should slow to allow everyone to regroup / clip in etc. People falling off the pace at the back will be waited for, however those racing off the front will not be chased. 
- If someone punctures or has a mechanical, the group is expected to stop. It is worth checking your tyres for embedded bits of flint and glass etc prior to a ride. Most punctures occur when bits of debris from earlier rides are forced through the tyre.
- Treat members of the group and other road users with courtesy. Acknowledge with a wave courteous behaviour by other road users. Do not “wave through” a following vehicle that is waiting to overtake – let the driver make this decision. This will avoid the risk of being held responsible if the overtaking results in any form of accident. 
- Do not ‘swamp’ cars at lights or intersections – stay in 2x2 formation or single file.
- Do not react to bad driving incidents with gestures or provoke retaliation. Remember a road rage motorist has a one-ton weapon! 
- Always let other cyclist know you are passing.
- Ride with the group which best suits your ability. It is always better to start low and build up. If in doubt Ride Captains will be happy to advise. It is sometimes nice to try an easier group, especially if you are a bit off colour. It is considered bad manners to hold back a strong group when an easier group is available. 
- Let others know if you are unable to keep up, have a problem or have decided to leave the group. Always pass the instructions along; if a rider cannot keep up, the Ride Captain needs to know. 
- Enjoy your riding – remember we are all responsible for the enjoyment and safety of the ride. 

WHAT TO TAKE ON A RIDE
The following items are compulsory for all collective riders on a rideout: 
1. A safety approved cycle helmet must be worn at all times when cycling (we recommend riders wear helmets complying with ANSI Z90/4 or SNELL standards). Any rider not wearing a helmet will not be allowed to participate. 
2. 2 water bottles fixed in 2 bottle cages 
3. Sufficient food/snacks for the duration of the rideout 
4. 2 spare inner tubes, 2 tyre levers and small pump or gas canisters; 
5. A fully functioning red rear bicycle light 
6. Emergency Contact details with emergency contact name, relationship to me, their telephone number and list of any medical conditions or allergies. We encourage all riders to use the ICE function within their phone.