Guidelines for Members at Innisfree Wheelers 2024All cyclists must wear a helmet & must be registered, paid up members of IWCC & Cycling Ireland.
• It is expected that all IWCC members participate in Club event marshalling activities.
• Download & check Cyql app for all Sunday Club spins to indicate if you are taking part in a spin.
• Ensure that you are medically fit to take part in club cycling. If you have a slight injury or feel “under the
weather”, please let the spin leader know.
• Your bike should be serviced regularly & be in good working order. Bike tyres should pumped to the
appropriate pressure & brakes working. Please carry 2 spare tubes, tyre levers & a pump in case of a puncture.
• Please carry ID and NOK details on you in case of an emergency for all club spins.
• Wear appropriate clothing (High Viz or club kit). Bring sufficient fluids and food to suit the route length and
weather conditions & also some money for the coffee stop.
• Arrive at the start location no later than 10 mins before the departure time to hear announcements relating
to your spin.
• Choose a group appropriate to your ability. If in doubt, check with the spin leader. Do not force the pace. If
the group is too slow or too fast, join a different group next time.
• The optimum group number is 8 riders, up to a maximum of 14. If there is a need to split the group, an
additional leader will be assigned & reasonable time gap left between the groups.
Good cycling etiquette
• Riders must observe all the rules of the road. Never cycle through a red light to stay with the group. If the
group gets split at junctions or traffic lights, regroup at a safe location as directed by the Spin leader.
• Ride no more than two abreast and single out when requested by the spin leader or back marker. The rider on
the outside drops behind the rider on the inside
• Loudly call out any obstacles on the road (e.g., holes, pedestrians etc.) & cars approaching {“Car down”-
approaching from front opposite lane, “car back” – behind but not yet overtaking, “car up”- car passing}
• Whenever called by the Spin leader, ride 2×2, neatly & take your turn for “up & overs”.
• Avoid cycling close to or crossing the white line – this is very dangerous.
• Overtake stationary or slow-moving traffic on the outside and don’t weave in and out of the vehicles.
• Walk away from arguments with other road users but where possible take the registration number of
dangerous drivers and report incidents to the Gardaí.
It is important to note that all IWCC spin leaders are volunteers. Please be respectful to them and all members
of the club, other cyclists and road users. Criticism, disrespect, aggression and inappropriate language will not
be tolerated in the club. It you have an issue; please raise it quietly with the leader. If you feel you cannot approach the spin leader, please contact a member of IWCC committee who will act according.
Please note; all riders ride at their own risk & the club accepts no liability for your personal safety

Rules Of the Road for Cyclists

1. You must obey the rules applying at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings. It is important to keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gears. You should always keep both feet on the pedals, make sure you keep to the left and always look behind and give the proper signal before moving off, changing lanes or making a turn.
2. Do not take up a position on the ‘inside’ of a large vehicle which is out of view of the driver. Instead, stay behind if the large vehicle has stopped at a junction with the intention of turning left.
3. When turning left, keep close to the left-hand side of the road and watch out for pedestrians.
4. When turning right, get into the left side of the right-turning lane, look behind and give the proper signal before you move out and ensure traffic in that lane is not going straight ahead.
5. On steep hills or busy roads, pull into the left-hand side of the road and wait until there is a break in traffic in both directions to let you make a turn safely.
   
6. When cycling alongside traffic stopped in line, be aware of gaps in the traffic to allow other vehicles to turn across the stationary lane. The view of the car that is turning may be blocked due to the traffic build-up.
7. In poor weather conditions, it may be safer to dismount and cross the roadway on foot. Where available, you should use a pedestrian or controlled crossing. Wear reflective clothing at all times. 

 

Cycle Tracks A cycle track or lane is a reserved part of a roadway for bicycles (not motorcycles) and can be either: mandatory, or non-mandatory. It is important to be aware of both types of cycling tracks to ensure high health & safety standards. A cycle track can also be a reserved part of a footpath or other area off the road. A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided. If a cycle track is two-way, meaning bicycles travelling in opposite directions at the same time can use it, cyclists should stay as near as possible to the left-hand side of their track.

 

Conclusion    Innisfree Wheeler’s club leaders pride ourselves on maintaining high standards of Health & Safety. By highlighting the information           above, we believe it is an important step towards maintaining high safety standards and educating all our members.