Last fall there was some discussion about pace line riding on Florida internet mail lists. The following selections are attributed to three of the better know writers on cycling in Florida. (It is possible that some of the text attributed to Mighk Wilson was by one of the other gentlemen.)
When I ride in a pace line I realize that I am taking a chance, no matter how experienced the other riders are. I realize there is a much greater potential for an accident than if I am riding alone. Even if there are only two of us riding together, if I am drafting and cannot clearly see the road ahead of me I realize this is a risky behavior. If the person in the front can point out a hazard, that is certainly helpful but I realize that they may miss a hazard and I accept that risk. Like other behaviors, I make a conscious decision of whether or not the risk is worth the reward. I make this decision every time I draft somebody.
It is unreasonable to assume that the person in front of you is responsible for your safety. You need to know the rider well enough to decide if you want to trust their judgement. It is unreasonable to blindly trust them and then hold them responsible for your safety. Know who you ride with before drafting them! If I am not comfortable with someone I may draft them but I will ride enough to the side that I can see the road in front of me, not as efficient but much safer.
Take responsibility for your actions!
It's the responsibility of the lead rider in a paceline to scan for things that would be a hazard to himself and his fellow cyclists. Cyclists who ride in a paceline do so voluntarily. They are voluntarily obscuring their own view of the road ahead in order to gain the advantage of a draft. A motorcyclist who follows a motorist too closely cannot blame the roadway maintenance crew for a pothole that he could not see to avoid, and a cyclist who closely follows another cyclist can't either.
A bike lane (or paved shoulder) is no guarantee that the roadway surface will be defect-free. In fact, debris often sits in a bike lane because no motor vehicles are there to push it to the curb. Bike lanes often subject cyclists to MORE surface hazards and not less.
The primary reason for the high number of crashes on club rides is lack of experience on the part of one or more of the cyclists. As the driver of a vehicle a cyclist is responsible -- just as a motorist is -- for keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and for watching out for hazards on the roadway.
My pledge to myself: I will try to be more careful when I ride. I will not ride more than 2 abreast and I will be cognizant of motorists and not delay them. I will point out obstacles for riders behind me. I do not want to be responsible for someone else's injuries, I will try to help them ride better and more safely. I will speak with a rider that is riding erratically or dangerously (I will try to be tactful-somewhat difficult for me, but I'll try).