Code of Conduct
1. Guiding Principles
- At Portland Velo our motto is, “It’s all about the Ride.”
- We are committed to:
- Welcoming all riders, regardless of background or experience.
- Creating a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free riding environment.
- Promoting mutual respect, support, and enjoyment for all participants.
2. Expected Member Conduct
- Safety First
- All members must ride safely and follow traffic laws, club safety guidelines (as detailed in Before You Ride – Safety), and instructions from ride leaders.
- Respectful Behavior
- Members must not:
- Harass, bully, threaten, or discriminate against any person during any Portland Velo ride or event.
- Engage in aggressive, intimidating, or disparaging behavior during any Portland Velo ride or event.
- Members must not:
- Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination
- Portland Velo will not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on:
- Race, ethnicity, or national origin
- Gender identity or expression
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or religious belief
- Age or disability
- Political beliefs
- All riders are expected to foster an environment of dignity and respect during Club rides or events, especially around sensitive or controversial topics. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs; Club rides or events are not the place to debate them.
- Portland Velo will not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on:
3. Ride Leader Authority
- Ride leaders serve as representatives of the club and are responsible for:
- Promoting safety and group cohesion
- Treating all riders equally and with respect
- Modeling the Code of Conduct
- Addressing unsafe behavior promptly and respectfully
- Member Obligations:
- Comply with the ride leader’s directions during the ride.
- If you disagree with a ride leader’s action or decision, talk about it with the ride leader after the ride, or raise your concern using the website Communication Link.
- If a rider refuses to comply, the ride leader may ask that rider to leave the group.
4. Communication & Social Media Standards
- Club members must:
- Use Portland Velo’s website, Strava page, Facebook, and other platforms respectfully.
- Keep posts relevant to the Club’s activities or interests.
- Avoid posting offensive, threatening, or disparaging content on the Club’s website or social media platforms.
- Concerns about member behavior should be addressed to the Operations Committee directly via the Communication Link, not via public posts.
- Violations may result in removal of content from the Club website or social media platforms.
5. Reporting and Enforcement
- A. Reporting Violations
- Members are encouraged to report any concerns related to Code of Conduct or safety issues. Reports can be made:
- Confidentially
- Without fear of retaliation
- Through the club’s Communication Link, or directly to a member of the Operations Committee
- Anonymous reports will be accepted when possible, but identifying information may be necessary for proper investigation.
- Members are encouraged to report any concerns related to Code of Conduct or safety issues. Reports can be made:
- B. Investigation Process
- Upon receiving a report, the Operations Committee will:
- Acknowledge receipt of the concern.
- Conduct a fair and timely review of the issue.
- Maintain confidentiality as much as possible.
- Upon receiving a report, the Operations Committee will:
- C. Disciplinary Action
- Depending on the severity and nature of the violation, possible outcomes include:
- Verbal or written warning
- Temporary suspension of membership
- Permanent revocation of membership
- Members will have an opportunity to respond to reported violations. Members will be informed of the outcome of the investigation.
- Depending on the severity and nature of the violation, possible outcomes include:
6. Acceptance and Agreement
As a Portland Velo member you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Failure to uphold these standards may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of membership, as determined by the Operations Committee. By adhering to this Code of Conduct, members help sustain our values of safety, fun, integrity, and community. Let’s ride with purpose, courtesy, and respect.