I set up a “Sunday Funday” group ride on Facebook for local e-skaters. Twenty people showed up. Halfway through, a guy hit a pothole, broke his arm, and smashed his $3,000 board. A month later, I got a legal letter claiming I was the “event organizer” and failed to ensure a safe route, holding me liable for his medical bills.
Key Takeaways
- The “Organizer” Trap: If you plan the route, set the time, and lead the pack, the law can view you as the organizer, creating a “duty of care” to the participants.
- Waivers are Weak: A downloaded PDF waiver might scare people off, but it rarely holds up in court if you were “grossly negligent” (like leading them into heavy traffic).
- Personal Liability Exclusion: Your homeowners liability might exclude “business pursuits” if you collected any money (even $5 for pizza).
- Incorporation: Real clubs form an LLC and buy “Event Liability Insurance.” Casual Facebook groups are exposed.
The “Why” (Duty of Care)
When you lead a group, participants trust your judgment.
“Negligence: Failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.”
If you lead beginner riders down a double-black-diamond trail or a busy highway, you breached that duty.
The Investigation: protecting the Leader
I asked legal and insurance experts how to host a ride without losing my house.
1. The “Un-Organized” Ride
- Strategy: “We are just friends meeting up.” No leader. No designated route. Everyone rides at their own risk.
- Effectiveness: Good legal defense, but hard to manage with 50 people.
2. General Liability Policy (Event Insurance)
- Strategy: Buy a 1-day policy for the event.
- Cost: ~
200−200−400. - Effectiveness: Covers lawsuits if someone gets hurt. Essential if you have sponsors or prizes.
3. Personal Umbrella Policy
- Strategy: Rely on your $1M personal umbrella.
- Effectiveness: Risky. If the insurer decides this was an “organized event” and not personal recreation, they might deny coverage.
Comparison Table
| Ride Type | Liability Risk | Recommended Protection |
| 3 Friends riding together | Low | Personal Liability |
| Facebook Open Invite | High | Disclaimer + Route Vetting |
| Sponsored Event / Race | Extreme | Commercial Event Insurance |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t Collect Money: The moment money changes hands, it becomes a commercial activity, voiding your personal insurance.
- Use “Ride at Your Own Risk” Language: Put it in the event description. “This is a casual meetup. You are responsible for your own safety. Helmets mandatory.”
- Pre-Ride Briefing: Before rolling out, say it out loud: “Watch for cars, I am not a guide, ride within your limits.”
- Route Check: Do not take the group down unknown roads. If you lead them into a construction pit, that’s on you.
FAQ
Does my PEV insurance cover me leading a ride?
It covers your liability if you hit someone. It doesn’t necessarily cover you being sued for “bad leadership” that caused someone else to fall.
[IMAGE: Photo of a large group of PEV riders gathering in a parking lot]