Social rides survey 2024

Steve Wynn, June 2025

EKAM asked its members what they thought about the organisation and running of our social rides. Here are the results, along with members’ suggestions for how the rides could possibly be improved.

Regarding standard of riding: what needs improving

  • 4 responses mentioned the standard of marking needs to be improved, including not waiting until the last moment to set off.

  • 2 mentioned slower riders not helping quicker riders to get past.
  • 2 mentioned not overtaking and so holding up riders behind
  • 1 mentioned lack of overall consideration and aggressive riding
  • 2 mentioned that the pace could be higher.
  • 1 mentioned off-siding.

Suggestions

There were suggestions for rides to biker venues and events, such as:

  • Bike shed, London
  • Boot sales
  • Dealer open nights (H’s café for example)
  • East Kent Classic Bike Night, Sheperdswell
  • Kent or Sussex bike events (nothing specific  mentioned)
  • Occasional evening bike meets  in Kent or Sussex
  • Pubs with biker nights – lots of bikes to see and food available
  • No suggestions, but start locations are key for me
  • I’ve never been to a biker event, so a chance to go with members would be interesting and fun
  • Shops and dealers, something a bit more  interesting than the last few months
  • Specifying evening rides might be limiting, but doesn’t have to be biker events  – eg,  castles airshows etc

Other comments

  • Many said they enjoy what we do
  • Consider a ‘Dawn Chorus’ start
  • Continue with yearly surveys
  • Consider use of WhatsApp
  • Actively encourage the ride to spread out to avoid bunching and a faster pace when appropriate
  • More/different ride leaders
  • Some said they have seen an improvement in ride standards.

If have not used Tracker, why?

Too few responses to show any trend, although one response suggested that continuing to use Tracker would stop the person attending.