Rider Responsibilities

Signing up

• Sign up for the ride on the website ahead of time. This will give the ride leader the opportunity to get in touch with you if there is a change of plans (weather, illness, etc.).
  
  
• Show up on time so that you are ready to leave at the designated time.

Your bicycle

• Show up for the ride with a bike in good working condition.
  
  
• Carry items to repair a flat tire.
  
  
• Inspect your tires for wear, small cuts, and foreign objects stuck in the tread.
  
  
• Check tire pressure before ride.
  
  
• Verify that your wheels are secured and the quick release levers are properly tightened.
  
  
• Check for loose parts on your bicycle (seatpost, handlebars, bottle cages, etc.).

What to bring

• You must wear a certified bicycling helmet. It is recommended that you frequently check for cracks and worn straps.
  
  
• All riders are very strongly encouraged to bring (and use) a rear red light to increase rider visibility and safety.
   
• New Jersey State law: "A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle".
  
  
• Always bring at least one full bottle with your favorite hydration liquid.
  
  
• Carry at least one of your favorite snacks.

• Headphones, including bone conducting headphones, earbuds, and talking on a cell phone while riding are prohibited on all Club rides. 

• Be prepared for weather changes. A foldable jacket, arm warmers, or leg warmers may be useful on a long ride.

During the ride

• Follow the leaders instructions at all times.
  
  
• Alert the ride leader if you observe a rider having a problem.
  
  
• If the ride leader is too slow for you, you’re welcome to leave the ride. However by going ahead you have effectively left the ride.
  
  
• Please notify the ride leader if you decide to leave the ride for any reason. Signed-up riders are accounted for by the leader.
  
  
• If you observe any unsafe or discourteous behavior, gently and constructively remind the offender of the situation, or speak to the ride leader.
  
  
• You must rely on your own judgment for personal safety. If you feel unsafe, drop back or leave the group.

Bringing a guest rider

Members are permitted to bring a guest who is interested in potentially joining the Club.

Follow this procedure for a guest:

• Before the ride, contact the Membership Chair at [email protected] and request a one-month trial membership for the guest. The Membership Chair will email the guest, who will need to register as a trial member. The guest can then sign up for a ride.
  
  
• If the Membership Chair is unavailable, the guest (and inviting member) should come to the ride and provide the Ride Leader with their contact and emergency contact information. The inviting member must follow up with the Membership Chair post-ride to set up the guest’s trial membership.

Only one trial membership per person is permitted. Additionally, for insurance purposes, a guest can only ride one time without a trial or regular membership.

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A club member who regularly disregards BTCNJ safety rules, and/or puts other club members in harm’s way will be asked by the President to leave the club.