NCC Ride Guidelines & Safety
Each ride will have at least one designated ride leader, who has the authority to enforce rules if needed.
All participants in NCC groups rides are required to sign a waiver. If you are a current NCC member, you did this when you joined. If you cannot remember, ask the ride leader for a waiver form and sign it, or do so online here.
Before the start:
- Have your bicycle in good repair and tires in good condition
- Carry the necessities to repair a flat tire (in town, there are fix stations)
- Remember to bring enough liquids and carbs
- Choose rides at your speed/skill level
- Wear sunscreen if needed
- If the weather is questionable, check the Link My Ride app — ride leaders will post announcements there. If time permits, there will be a banner on the club’s home page announcing cancellations.
- Listen to directions and instructions from ride leaders. Their job is to get you home safely.
- Don’t wear earbuds or anything else that might impair your hearing.
- Carry some type of identification including emergency contact information
During the ride, the club has three basic rules that all riders must comply with for the safety of everyone.
- Keep it SAFE
- Stay double or single file, call out obstacles, no sudden accelerations or braking
- The yellow line rule applies under all circumstances (don’t cross the yellow line or the road center line)
- Always follow the rules of the road, i.e., stop at stop signs, red lights, give pedestrians in walkways the right-of-way, etc. If in doubt, read the Massachusetts Bike Laws Summary
- Ride single file out of town.
- Riders should be single file except when the width of the road or shoulder allows for side by side riding.
- When passing slower riders, always pass on the left.
- Riders should be as far right as is safe to do so, preferably to the right of the white line.
- When pulling to the left (when passing slower riders or descending back from the front of a pace line) always look back first.
- Keep it STEADY
- Keep the agreed upon pace. Don’t jump the group. Don’t take a longer pull that slows the group down. Feel free to sit out a pull
- Don’t overlap wheels with the rider in front of you. The forward rider needs the ability to avoid road hazards without hitting you!
- When riding in a pace line, keep your speed consistent
- Point out road debris and dangerous conditions to riders behind you
- Keep it SUPPORTIVE
- We’re here to have fun, look out for one another — slow down to support the group and watch for stragglers.
- Don’t be shy: ask questions, speak up!
- We aim to have fun, friendly, responsible and inclusive rides. Non-members are welcome on all of our club rides up to two times a year.