Jklotz

I like to do a few quick group rides every week. I enjoy them, plus there's no way I'd push myself that hard solo, so there is the intensity workout I wouldn't otherwise get. I'm grateful we have a good group of guys here to do that with and, like I said, I enjoy them. Reminds me of when I raced in my younger days. But here's the thing; riding solo, I tend to be really cautious of intersections and traffic approaching from side streets. I know, it sucks bombing down a hill and have to brake and loose all that momentum just in case there is a car pulling out around the bend, but it beats getting hit. Thing is, when we do those group rides, the guys in front pushing the pace regularly blow through stop signs and bomb hills with zero regard to what could be pulling out around the corner. But because there are 20 or so of us, and knowing that if I brake, there is a good possibility I'll get dropped on the next climb, I just go with it. I guess I've gotten lulled into thinking it's safe because so many of us. I'd never ride like that solo.

They've been doing it a long time, and I'm not aware of anybody actually being hit by a car. Just curious, do you guys feel like riding in a group lulls you into a false sense of security?

bikingshearer 

That's one reason I rarely do big group rides. Your group may never get hit by a car (knock on wood), but I'll guarantee you are pissing off drivers. Whether you care about that or not is another question (I do, some don't).

big john

No, if they're doing stupid stuff there is no sense of security. Is it a club or just a random group?

I've been riding with 1 club for 34 years and a second club for 4 years. Unsafe riding is discouraged but, of course some still blow stops and even red lights.

rsbob 

Riding in a group absolutely provides a false sense of security. There have been numerous instances of entire groups of cyclists being run down by an errant motorist. As for blowing through stop signs, if you trust the leaders to use good discretion at intersections, then it’s up to you whether you want to follow. I have ridden with various groups who I did trust with my life, but I had ridden 100s of hours with them and knew they would use good judgment. If your group is more driven by testosterone and out-doing one another than using good judgement, then I would pass or hang back and risk getting dropped. Most, not all, of the groups I rode with had a no-drop policy. The no-droppers I had confidence in. The drop group always made me a bit ill at ease, and I would do my own evaluation at intersections and hills.

Your question and hesitancy is well founded.

LarrySellerz

Safest thing to do is follow what the group is doing, even if its "boneheaded." If youre not comfortable doing that, maybe don't ride with them. Sounds like you know this, but posting for others.

There are group rides around here that are similar, and the extent to how aggressive people ride is a big point of contention with people trying to reign it in. Never ending battle, it is what it is, the level of "aggression" tolerated varies drastically from ride to ride. Some cyclists would be shocked at how one can ride and still be reasonably safe. Those blind corners they are blasting through probably aren't as blind as they seem etc.

veganbikes

The safest thing to do is not doing boneheaded stuff because a group is doing it. Ride safely and if you think the group is being dangerous let someone know and leave and do your own ride.

The best thing to do in a group is use safe riding practices on a bike you know how to handle that is also well maintained and kept. Otherwise just avoid the groups and ride on your lonesome.

rsbob 

MarcusT

Group riders have a gang like mentality. They are more prone to do bone headed things when they are in a larger group.

RCMoeur 

Not all groups are the same.

I have indeed unfortunately seen packs of riders blow through stop signs and even signals with impunity, yelling "clear!" as they zoom through. :\

The weekly group I lead yields appropriately at intersections, waits at red signals, and we discourage calling "clear" on the off chance... it ain't.

If we have a steep climb or screaming descent, we give the location of a regroup point, let everyone ride their own pace, and hope the fastest climber or speediest descender remembers what we said. On flat terrain, we stay together as a happy if slightly dysfunctional group.

Outrider1

Several times while driving I've come upon a group ride on a busy highway where guys are weaving into the traffic lane (sometimes riding 2 abreast and talking) and I'm thinking that if I'm a bit miffed at what appears to be nonchalant, brazen behavior and I'm a cyclist I can only imagine what other, more impatient motorists are thinking and how they may be reacting. Or not reacting.

Maelochs

If automobile drivers ignored traffic laws like some cycling groups do, we'd be outraged ... and we often are, when even a single driver drives like so many pacelines ride. If a line of 20 cars blew through a red light, expecting approaching traffic to just stop and wait, we come here and rant endlessly.

Jughed

This is what gives us spandex wearers a bad name with motorists.

Motorists can and do break traffic rules all the time - but a group of cyclists taking up too much space, rolling thru stop lights... makes their heads explode. A driver blasting down the freeway at 90+, that can kill everyone around him - no big deal. A bike rolling thru an intersection - the end of the world.

Any delay, even if for a second, in the forward progress of a motorist - head explode.

Delaware allows for cyclists to roll thru stop signs - but most drivers don't know this, and they flip out.

wheelreason

There is a science and an art to doing this type of ride. Knowing the riders and the route are key. In a new ride, picking out the squirrels and dunces is step one, then on long blind descends, leave yourself an out, same with stop signs, I like to be a few slots back or in a close second group. Not biting too much off helps, tired mistakes happen, so in short no sense of security, just accepting the risk.

rsbob 

Welcome to Tijuana

rsbob 

In Wa state, it is legal for cyclists to roll stop signs (not lights). About 2 months ago was cruising through a park that has 6 stop signs on the arterial going through it. I went through 2 (always slowing a bit to show “I care”) when a motorist pulls along side me and starts ranting about law breaking cyclists. His ignorance of the law is understandable and there was no way I could educate him while he was screaming. It was what it was.

downtube42

Pancake flat roads, 8' tall corn, and zero shoulder made for exciting times back when I rode with a fast group in Indiana. The group behavior on right turns was to rely on any traffic from the left to give us 8". Eventually I stopped riding with them. As far as I know, nobody was ever hit, but I'm sure there were some scary moments.

MoAlpha

I do group rides for the camaraderie and the VO2max intervals. It's a "safe" group: small and private, mostly old, mostly sensible when stationary, and most with a racing background and good bike handling skills. Despite that, it's far more dangerous than riding solo. The only thing I feel slightly better about is a physical fight with a motorist, something I've gotten the worse of in the past. However, I assume everyone has a gun now anyway so that part might even be an added risk.

Kapusta

There is no way I would ride with that group.

Honestly, I think riding in a large group on the road is more dangerous than a small group or solo. And that group sounds particularly dangerous.

jadmt

https://media.giphy.com/media/OHMkK8...giphy.gif&ct=g

tomato coupe

Is this a cycling specific statement, or is this a general life philosophy?

jadmt

I believe for about 50% it is the later.....

msu2001la

Regardless of what cyclists do or how they behave, some percentage of motorists will always be outraged by our mere presence on what they perceive to be "their" roadways. It doesn't matter if you're riding solo or in a group, stopping at stop signs or "blowing them".

For the OP - if the group you're riding with is riding dangerously, then I'd suggest finding another group. There are many large group rides in my area with varying levels of adherence to traffic safety. I avoid the groups that ride dangerously.

genejockey 

Wait! I know this one!

genejockey 

Groups differ. Some act like a law unto themselves, whereas others follow the spirit if not the letter of the law. I would not ride with a group that blew through stop LIGHTS, but I would (and have) with a group that may roll stop signs if it's safe to do so, like a 4-way stop with long sight lines and no other traffic. The idea that it's safest to do what the group does is arguably correct - if you're in a big, fast-moving group ride that's going to blow through a stop sign, and you stop, you're likely to cause, and be part of a pileup. So I don't ride in groups that do that stupid ****.

Bald Paul

My parents always told me when I was a kid "If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?"
I've been on group rides where the "leaders" blow through red lights, and I've been caught when the light changes before the entire group gets through the green. I just yell "STOPPING!" and do my best to not cause anyone to pile into me. If I get left behind while the rest ride on oblivious to the dangers, so be it. I've been called a few nasty names for doing that, but I don't care. I've been hit before, (not running a light or stop sign) and know that it hurts.
At stop signs, the group usually slows, and everyone checks for cross traffic before proceeding, yelling "CLEAR!" if it's okay to proceed. That gets repeated by every 3rd or 4th rider in line.