FAQ

Welcome to the Vancouver Bicycling Meetup Group Frequently Asked Questions!

We are a collective of like-minded people who like to ride our bikes! In this group you will find many types of rides offered by different folks all with the goal of enjoying ourselves.

• What are the rides like?
  We have many types of rides at many different levels. And ALL of our rides are no-drop rides. We do appreciate that you try to find rides that are a fit for your interest and level of fitness as everyone will have an even better time. Speeds listed in the ride types are approximate: as we are a no-drop group, it will really depend on who has come out for the ride but it will give you an idea if a ride is an approximate fit for you. If you are wondering anything about any ride, please direct your questions to the organizer.
  Our rides generally fall into the following categories and are indicated by the title of the ride:
  
  • Snail Rider
    These rides are intended for beginners and people wanting a shorter ride. The pace is as slow as the slowest member in the group and intended to get new people out riding. We like to meet new people and to see them build and grow and cyclists! So these rides are a great start. Average speed would be something around 10-15km per hour. A good site for beginners BikeSense Manual.
    
  • Easy Rider
    These rides tend to be easygoing and there are stops but overall they keep moving. Often there is a goal to visit an area or an event along the way such as a bird sanctuary, nature tour or brewery. Average speed would be something around 15-20km per hour.
    
  • Scenic Rider
    These are very social rides that tend to be have alot of stops along the way to take pictures and look at things. They are generally relaxed and have the goal of looking at things along the way. Lots of smelling the roses! Average speed would be something around 10-20km per hour (this can really vary as the important thing is the looking).
    
  • Adventure Rider
    These rides are often about exploration and for those who just want to check out an area. The organizer probably doesn't know the exact route or any part of the route. Rides like these are often held to get to know new routes or areas. Average speed would be something around 15-25km per hour.
    
  • Touring Ride
    These rides tend to be longer and keep moving. There are stops along the way but there tends to be alot of ground covered. Often the organizer can arrange to meet you somewhere along the route if you want a shorter ride but you need to arrange it with the organizer. Average speed would be something around 15-25km per hour depending on the composition of the group and the terrain.
    
  • Training Ride
    These rides tend to be generally be faster paced with the goal of pushing your fitness. Average speed would be something around 20-35km per hour depending on the composition of the group and the terrain. Different organizers tend to have different levels of fitness so if you have any questions as to how well the ride would be a fit for you, please contact the organizer.
    
  
  
• Does the group have any rules?
  Yes! But they are very basic and should be common sense:
  
  • Helmets are mandatory, if you don't have a helmet, you won't be riding with us.
    
  • Riders must know and obey the rules of the road. By doing so and cycling in a predictable manner, cyclists will find more courtesy and respect on the road. Riders must use hand signals. To find out more about rules of the road, you can visit the Motor Vehicle Act. Scroll to Section 183: Rights and duties of operator of cycle. Another good site is ICBC's Road Sense for Drivers.
    
  • Lights on night rides are mandatory.
    
  • Respect of all vehicles and pedestrians on the roads is paramount. While you may have the right-of-way, a bike will always lose an argument with a vehicle. We are there to share the road! Riding is usually single file unless there is sufficient room for anything different. We like to be very courteous and especially give pedestrians alot of room.
    
  • Respect of all members. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. If you have any concerns at any time, please contact one of the organizers.
    
  • Riders are responsible for their own safety. The organizer will do his or her best to guide and direct group members but ultimately riders must watch out for themselves. And we also ask that as we are a group of friends, we also watch out for each other.
    
  • Always always let an organizer know if you are leaving a ride early.
    
  
  
• Does the group have any other rules?
  We like to call them guidelines:
  
  • Please keep your RSVPs up to date as you may be holding a space that someone who knows they can attend would love to use. Try to apply the same consideration you would want if you were dying to get on the ride.
    
  • The organizer reserves the right to decline members if they show up to the meeting spot unannounced.
    
  • Rides generally leave on time. The organizer may wait an extra 10-15 minutes before leaving but don't count on it. If you want to attend, please be on time. And if they leave without you, please don't take it personally as it's a group agreement.
    
  • Flats and other bikes problems are unfortunate but they happen! While there maybe someone on the ride who can guide you or is willing to help, it is expected that you will fix your own flats and have the tools to do so. It is also expected that you take care of any return arrangements should you have mechanical problems that prevents you from riding. When you ride, we recommend you carry the following at minimum:
    
    • At least one replacement inner tube appropriate for your bike.
      
    • Tools for removing a tire
      
    • A pump that is appropriate for your bike
      
    • At least a litre of water
      
    • Some high energy snacks to boost your energy
      
    • A lock or two
      
    • Some cash so you can have a beverage and/or food if we stop at a place to eat and also if you run into trouble and need to take transit or a taxi home.
      
    • Sufficient rain gear and layers so you don't suffer as a result of the weather!
  
  
• What's the scoop on ride ratings?
  This group is 100% run by volunteers. Organizing rides takes alot of time and energy and it's not always simple, so please have some patience should any issues arise. The rating emails are sent out automatically by the meetup site so we can't turn them off or alter them even if we wanted to. If you had a lousy ride for whatever reason, we would much prefer you email the organizer directly to deal with the issue than post anger or complaints on the site. If you had issues with the organizer him- or herself, please email one of the other organizers with details of what happened and we will handle the issue internally. Using the ratings to air issues can cast a permanent cloud over the group and the comments remain there even after issues are fixed so please help us by dealing with problems by email and not in the ratings.
  
  
• I want to do a ride that is shorter/longer/faster/slower/closer to where I live/to a specific destination etc., how can I make that happen with this group?
  Email one of the organizers to co-organize a ride!
  
  
• I want to organize or co-organize a ride with this group, how do I do it?
  Email one of the organizers. Organizing generally takes a fair bit of effort so we are happy to co-organize with someone! You write up the posting together with the organizer who will post it once you're both happy with it. And presto, you've organized a ride!
  
  
• How do I become an organizer?
  We need to get to know you and preferably have co-organized a few rides with you and then the organizers have an email vote. Once we've gotten to know you a bit and one of the organizers is willing to vouch for you, it shouldn't take too long.
  
  
• There is a ride that I really want to do but it's full, is there anything I can do?
  Yes! Email the organizer and ask if there is room for one more. Some organizers can handle larger groups than others and there's often last minute changes in who can attend, so see if the organizer can squeeze you in. It is, however, up to the organizer so if they can't squeeze you in, please don't show up at the starting point unannounced. Express your interest in doing the ride in the comments section of the ride and we'll put it on again at a later date. Or, if there's enough people who can't fit in the ride, there may be another organizer willing to start a second group that will leave 20 minutes after the first group. All things are possible! Just tell us what you'd like to see!
  
  
• I've had something unexpected come up on the day of the ride and I can't attend anymore, do I need to do anything to let the organizer know?
  We really appreciate when people let us know that they aren't going to be able to make it. Organizers often check the website 30-60 minutes before the ride starts so dropping a note there is a nice courtesy. Or send an email. This makes it easier for us!
  
  
• Do rides ever get canceled due to weather?
  Sometimes yes and often no. We live in a very rainy part of the world and we do get snow so yes, it can get canceled. The organizer should say in the write-up whether or not it will happen in the event of bad weather and indicate the last time to check the site for possible cancellations. If in doubt, contact the organizer.