How to Organise a Group Cycling Ride and Find People to Ride With
Riding with others is more fun and often safer, but group rides need a little organisation. Here is how to plan one, ride well together, and find people to cycle with in the first place.
Short answer
Set a route and an honest average speed, meet somewhere with bike parking, brief riders on calls and signals, ride no more than two abreast and single out when it helps drivers overtake, and regroup after hills and junctions. To find people, try local clubs, bike shop rides and public meetups.
By RevSignal (Editorial team)
Where to find people to cycle with
- Cycling clubs. Most clubs run social rides at different speeds and welcome new riders. Look for a "no-drop" or social group if you are new.
- Bike shop rides. Many shops run free weekly rides from the shop.
- Organised programmes. In the UK, British Cycling's Let's Ride lists led rides.
- Public meetups. On RevSignal you can browse public meetups on the map, filter to Bicycle, or post a ride of your own.
Plan the ride
- Route: quiet roads and cycle paths, with a café stop for rides longer than about two hours.
- Average speed: be honest. "Social, about 12 mph, no-drop" tells people what to expect.
- Distance and climbing: publish both.
- Mixed bikes: if e-bikes are coming, see planning e-bike group rides.
- Daylight and lights: front and rear lights if the ride could end near dusk.
Riding two abreast: what the Highway Code says
Since the 2022 update, the Highway Code says cyclists can ride two abreast, which can be safer in larger groups. It also asks riders to be aware of drivers behind and to allow them to overtake, for example by moving into single file or stopping when it is safe to do so.
In practice:
- Ride in pairs on quieter roads.
- Single out on narrow roads and when a driver is waiting behind and it is safe to let them pass.
- Never ride more than two abreast.
Calls and signals
Agree these before you set off:
- "Car back" / "Car up": a vehicle approaching from behind or ahead.
- "Stopping" / "Slowing": said loudly, with a hand signal.
- Pointing down: a pothole or hazard on that side.
- Hand behind back: move in, an obstacle ahead.
Regroup points
Groups split at junctions, lights and hills. Agree to regroup at the top of every climb and after every junction where the group could split. A no-drop ride means nobody is left behind.
A rider at the back (sometimes called the sweep) stays with the slowest rider and lets the front know if there is a problem. A RevSignal convoy helps here too: everyone opens one link, types a nickname and appears on the same map, so the front can see who is held at a light.
Before you go
- Pump tyres, check brakes, and carry a spare tube, a pump and tyre levers.
- Bring water, a snack and a phone with charge.
- Share the route and meeting point in advance. See how to choose a meeting point.
Posting your ride on RevSignal
Create a meetup with the category Ride, the time, the start point and a description that includes distance, speed and whether it is no-drop. Choose public to welcome new riders.