Riding with Others

Riding a bike with friends, whether going for a nice weekend ride or 'bike-pooling' on the way to work, is a lot of fun. It's a great way to get started if you're new to biking or want to get over some of your fears. It makes a commute (especially on the way home, I find) go a lot faster. It can be a nice way for families to spend some time together.

And furthermore, riding in a group will make all of you more visible, and therefore more safe.

But riding with others can pose some new issues to be aware of:

~Make sure you communicate with the people you're with. Use hand signals to show if you're turning or slowing down. And (although this is more courtesy than safety), if you're riding with someone else, try not to zoom too far ahead of them- it's a lot less fun for the person in back to feel like they're being left behind.

~Don't forget that you are still responsible for your own individual safety- especially when going through intersections, make sure for yourself that it's safe to go. When approaching a yellow light, think about the people behind you before you rush through.

~Be careful about riding too close to the person in front of you, so that if they have to stop/swerve suddenly you can too.

~The best way to talk with the people you're riding with is while waiting at stoplights! (or, as this video from the Biking Rules PSA Contest shows, waiting at lights can also be a good way to meet people).


So, what are your favorite aspects or stories about riding with others? Whether riding to work with a friend, biking out for a night on the town, or riding across the country, I'd love to hear how being with others affected (perhaps not always in a positive way) your experience.