Navigating Unsafe Conditions

Riding in a Paceline

Main factors leading to the most common accident in our club: cyclist-to-cyclist collisions

Introduction

There are several unsafe practices that lead to cyclist-to-cyclist wheel contact in pacelines, in

nearly all cases resulting in the rearmost cyclist falling. This is by far the most common cause of injuries on WFW Club Rides. Cyclist-to-cyclist wheel contact on club rides, causes 3x more accidents requiring an emergency room trip, that a cyclist being hit or cut off by a car.

Wheel Overlap and Wheel Contact Caused by Rider Behavior

• Cyclists in a paceline need to cycle in a steady, straight line, holding the wheel of the rider ahead, so that they are predictable to both the other riders and other road users. Sudden stops and swerves should be avoided.

• Cyclists dropping off the front of the paceline should signal their intention to drop (fist on hip or elbow wiggle) and then, while maintaining their speed, shift to the right or the left (opposite side of their signal) before slowing to drop back. The group should agree which side of the paceline the dropping rider should use.

• A cyclist should always shoulder check before changing position, and to make sure they drop back in the paceline after (not before) the last rider. The last rider should announce they are last, to help the dropping rider move smoothly behind the back of the paceline. Rear view mirrors are also helpful but unfortunately are not commonly used by club Paceline riders. Radar devices are also helpful.

• Wheel overlap should be avoided by gradual slowing and movement away from the cyclist in front of the rider. However, wheel overlap is common in pacelines, due to frequent slowing on hilly rides and where there is traffic, stop signs, and stop lights.

• Wheel overlap is unavoidable when a cyclist is dropping to the back of a paceline in a narrow lane (3 ft width or less), or when a rider in the paceline slows suddenly or swerves or both.

• Oftentimes, sudden braking followed by swerving, a uniquely dangerous sequence, causes a cyclist-to-cyclist collision which could have been avoided. Errors in judgment and inattentiveness by either the leading or the following rider can lead to wheel contact. The following rider is nearly always the one who is injured.

Wheel Overlap and Wheel Contact Caused by Road Conditions

• Debris or uneven road surfaces and traffic intersections can cause sudden braking and swerving. The lead cyclist in a paceline should look ahead so that they can lead the group around road hazards, pointing them out, without sudden swerves or braking.

• When road conditions are bad or traffic is congested, cyclists in a paceline should spread

• out and reduce speed to prevent wheel contact and falls. Adding 3 ft of spacing has a relatively small impact on drafting efficiency.

• High traffic roads combined with narrow or nonexistent bike lanes pose a much higher risk of wheel-to-wheel contact for paceline rides and should be avoided. At a minimum, the lead rider in the paceline should avoid dropping back on curves, at intersections, or when cars are approaching from behind.

How to React if Your Front Wheel Contacts a Rider’s Rear Wheel

• Do not panic: Stay calm and don’t swerve suddenly, which could cause a crash.

• Steer into the wheel: Turn your front wheel slightly into the wheel of the rider in front of you and stop pedaling.

• Ride through it: If you are at high speed, try to ride through the overlap without making any sudden moves, as this may help to keep you from crashing.

• The above steps will reduce the risk of a crash somewhat, but it is likely that wheel contact will cause the rear rider to fall.

Conclusion

Paceline riding poses unique risks for all riders and is the most team-like activity in cycling. We all need to look out for one another, especially cyclists following us, to ensure each of our teammates continues to enjoy this sport we love.

Final Note: Of the 10 cyclist deaths recorded in Escambia and Santa Rosa in 2024/2025 involving cars, all involved a car striking a lone cyclist on a road with a narrow (3 ft or less) or nonexistent bike lane, and most occurred at night. On such roads, it is likely that riding in a paceline has a lower risk of being killed by a car than riding alone. Our club should strive to practice paceline riding as safely as possible by following the above guidelines. We should also prioritize daylight rides and routes with wide bike lanes (>5 ft) and with minimal traffic and intersections.