Why Ride Leaders Matter
Ride Leaders are essential to the London Cycling Club experience.
They:
Enhance organization and rider experience on LCC rides
Improve safety and ensure group riding etiquette is followed
Help new riders feel welcomed and supported
Act as key contacts in emergency situations
Improve consistency so riders know what to expect
When riders don’t know what to expect, it can deter participation. Ride Leaders reduce that uncertainty and make cycling more accessible for all experience levels and interests.
Many of our expanded programs — Women on Wheels, Rider Development Group, Weekend rides, gravel rides, varied pace options — are only possible because volunteers step forward to lead.
If there’s a ride that you’d like that we don’t currently offer, we’d like to help you organize it. Get certified and get in touch with us at info@londoncyclingclub.com and we can discuss what support is needed: registration, route, advertising etc.
What Is a Ride Leader?
A Ride Leader:
Ensures a safe, organized, and enjoyable ride
Does not need to be the strongest rider — only strong enough to ride at the advertised pace
Prioritizes safety and group cohesion
Is prepared to handle unexpected situations
Keeps the ride fun, welcoming, and inclusive
Experience and familiarity with group riding matter more than speed.
Why You Should Consider Becoming a Ride Leader
Being a Ride Leader is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to the club.
Benefits include:
Leadership development (group management, communication, cycling skills)
Quarterly Ride Leader sessions to learn and improve together
Opportunity to shadow experienced leaders
Ability to propose and lead new ride formats
Recognition and exclusive Ride Leader jersey (for qualifying volunteers)
Most importantly, you help make cycling safer, more inclusive, and more accessible in our community.
What Ride Leaders Do
Before the Ride
Ensure the ride is sanctioned if required
Communicate start location, time, route, and ride type
Load and review the route in advance
Be familiar with key regroup points
Review safety and emergency procedures
At the Start
Arrive early and welcome riders
Confirm membership using the Cycle Club App
Review route, pace, stops, and drop/no-drop expectations
Count riders before departure
During the Ride
Maintain advertised pace
Keep the group compact and cohesive
Model proper hand signals and communication
Encourage safe riding and traffic law compliance
Address unsafe behaviour when necessary
Support riders who are struggling
Adapt to weather or road conditions
Follow concussion and emergency protocols if needed
After the Ride
Ensure all riders return safely
Document serious safety concerns
Complete required injury reports if applicable
During the Ride
Maintain advertised pace
Keep the group compact and cohesive
Model proper hand signals and communication
Encourage safe riding and traffic law compliance
Address unsafe behaviour when necessary
Support riders who are struggling
Adapt to weather or road conditions
Follow concussion and emergency protocols if needed
After the Ride
Ensure all riders return safely
Document serious safety concerns
Complete required injury reports if applicable
Safety, Insurance & Support
Ride Leaders are covered under Ontario Cycling insurance for sanctioned activities, including:
$5M liability coverage per incident
Up to $2M in defence coverage
Sport Accident Insurance coverage
Clear concussion protocol and injury reporting procedures
Ride Leaders are trusted representatives of the club and are authorized to speak on behalf of LCC within club guidelines. If you are acting and enforcing the club’s Members Handbook and Risk Management Plan, you are covered.
How to Become a Ride Leader
We’ve made the process simple and supportive:
Step 1 – Watch the Training Session (or attend an in-person session)
Step 2 – Complete the Ride Leader Quiz
Ride Leader Quiz – Fill out form
Step 3 – Shadow an experienced Ride Leader
Write to us at info@londoncyclingclub.com once you’ve completed the training, and we’ll pair you up.
Step 4 – Start Leading
We provide ongoing support, documentation, and access to tools like the Cycle Club App for ride management and safety coordination.
Simply sign in to Cycle Club App and register for rides as a Ride Leader. If there is a date or route you are interested in leading but don’t see it in the app, email info@londoncyclngclub.com for support.
Resources