As more and more people take to cycling, whether for health, commuting, or competitive reasons, riders find themselves having to negotiate the impact of having other riders on the road, as they either choose to ride with others in bunches or simply find themselves in a bunch without choosing to be there.

There is a lot of enjoyment to be had from cycling in a bunch or peloton; the social aspect makes long rides more fun, the sharing of work into the wind, the development of group riding skills that are essential for racing and endurance rides, and the sheer pleasure of riding with your friends – but to reap the full benefits and keep everyone safe, we all need to make sure we're aware of the etiquette and language of group riding.

Like any other pastime or sport, bunch riding has its own etiquette and language. To the uninitiated this may seem like a dark art, but once mastered, it is your passport to acceptance in any group of riders the world over.

Once you know the rules, signals and terminology of group riding, you can seamlessly blend into any pack, whether it’s a club training ride, a social bunch ride or even a collection of commuters you happen to pick up on the way to or from work. Being aware of how to behave and communicate with riders around you will make the whole bunch experience safer, faster and more fun.

• Be aware that everything you do has a knock-on effect on everyone behind and beside you. You are responsible for the safety of everyone around you as you are for your own well being.
• It goes without saying, that you must obey all road rules, including and especially, stopping at red lights.
• Pair off in formation (the paceline) of never more than 2 abreast. Certain roads might require single file. Some double lane roads without a shoulder dictate that it is better (and legal) to sit in the middle of the lane rather than have vehicles squeeze past.
• Be predictable with all your actions. Maintain a steady consistent line and avoid braking or changing direction suddenly, especially if contesting a sprint. Remember that there are riders following you closely from behind. To slow down, gradually move out into the wind and slot back into your position in the bunch.
• Point out and call out any road hazards ahead. These include potholes, drain grates, stray animals, opening car doors, parked cars, broken glass or other dangerous debris, etc. The call comes from the front of the bunch, as these riders are the "eyes" of the peloton, and the call and indication is then relayed down the bunch. Use "car up" or "car back", for example, or "slowing" if you or the riders in front of you are slowing for any reason. And if you need to divert around an obstacle, do so smoothly - you don't need to travel to the other side of the road to avoid an obstacle when 15cm will do!
• Traffic Lights are called from the front of the bunch - if it is considered safe and the light is amber (not full red!), then either of the front riders can call "rolling" or if deemed too dangerous then the call is "lights" or "stopping." If on the front, please bear in mind how big the bunch is before considering the two options.
• Changing lanes is indicated by the outside rider at the front of the bunch and then called by the outside rider at the back of the bunch as either "clear" or "car back".
• Don't Half-wheel. When on the front of the bunch the object is to keep the bikes parallel to each other, handlebar to handlebar. If one rider is half a wheel ahead then this is amplified through the bunch behind and disrupts the flow of the bunch. If you are paired with a half-wheeler, politely let them know!
• Holding a Wheel. This is an important skill to master and more difficult to maintain when there are half-wheelers in the bunch. You should try to maintain a 30cm (1 foot), or less, gap between you and the wheel in front and should ensure that you are positioned very slightly to one side of the wheel in front. This means that you are getting a good draft, but that if anyone should suddenly slow-up then you will not ride into the back of them.
• Do not overlap wheels. A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels and fall, potentially taking other riders down as well.
• Gear Selection. Pick a gear that enables you to keep pedalling at a smooth and comfortable pedalling speed (cadence), to ensure that you maintain the same speed as the rest of the bunch without constantly surging and braking. Maintaining an even speed in the bunch is critical to everyone's safety.
• Continue pedalling as you crest a hill and over the other side when you are at the front of the bunch. If you stop pedalling as you crest a hill, you force riders behind you to have to brake to slow down as they are climbing.
• Stay to the left when in front to allow room for others to pass safely on your right, particularly in traffic. Pass other riders on the right hand side whenever possible.
• Be smooth with your turns at the front of the group. Avoid surges unless trying to break from the bunch. A group will travel quicker when turns are completed smoothly, and it allows those riders who have just pulled their turn to recover as they roll to the back of the bunch.
• Avoid leaving gaps when following wheels. Cyclists save about 30% of their energy at speed by following a wheel. Each time you leave a gap you are forcing yourself to ride alone to bridge it. Also, riders behind you will become annoyed and ride around you, especially if the bunch is working together to break away or catch a break in a race.
• When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.
• Do your fair share of work at the front. Forget any nonsense about saving yourself on a club run. However, if you are struggling and can’t take a turn, stay at the back of the bunch rather than disrupt the rhythm of those who are working.
• If you are struggling to close a gap, wave the rider behind you through.
• If you are feeling strong and someone else is suffering, give them a firm but gentle push on the back to help them back onto a wheel. Keeping gaps closed will ensure the group stays together and you’ll maintain the pace better. If someone else does the same for you, accept it graciously. Everyone has bad moments.
• If you are not confident of your bike handling ability, and the pace is too fast for you to take a turn at or near the front, put your pride away and learn how to sit on the back of the bunch. When the lead rider comes back after doing his or her turn, TELL him or her to cut in, dropping back yourself to allow room. Be sure to tell them while they still have an overlap on the rider in front of you, so they can cut in easily and smoothly without having dropped back too far, then having to put in a burst to get back on. This does not mean you put your brain in neutral - observe what is going on ahead and learn if you are a new rider.
• Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider. Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps. This is a part of cycle riding and racing in close bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction abruptly.
• Don't ride down on your aero-bars in a bunch, regardless of your ability or experience. If you want to do your time trial training, do that on your own time or in your own TT training group.
• Keep your bike well-serviced, clean and with good tyres. An un-roadworthy bike is a danger to everyone in the bunch. And always carry the spares to deal with a puncture, plus any food and tools you may need to look after yourself and your bike. Cycling is all about freedom and self-sufficiency, so learn how to fix a flat, and carry at least a small bike tool set (with necessary Allen keys, etc)!
• Do a quick head check to make sure other riders aren't going to cop your spray before you spit or launch a "snot rocket." Aim down and if necessary, move out of the draft momentarily and return to the paceline when you're done!
• Show your respect for other cyclists and the drivers with whom we share the road. A smile and a wave go a long way if a driver has waited for a cyclist to get through a junction. Say hello to other cyclists on the road as you pass. We are kindred spirits, connected by our passion.

In summary, being fit and capable of hanging onto the bunch is not enough. Without taking away the enjoyment of the ride it is imperative that every rider hones his or her skills. If you want to improve, ask one of the more accomplished riders.

There are more rules specifically aimed at racing, and it may seem like there are a lot of things to consider, meaning that for most riders it will take a while before they are fully proficient bunch riders. The best thing new riders can do is to start slowly, look, listen, ask questions, and learn! You are not a spectator here, so you need to be fully engaged when you ride!

With thanks to:
Kirk Purchase
Canberra Cycling Club
Gap Cycling Club, Brisbane
Grampians Vets Cycling Club