Community Guidelines

Why we have these guidelines

These guidelines explain what is and isn't allowed on Throttle. They apply to everything: posts, comments, photos, videos, profiles, garages, messages, clubs, listings and reviews. They're part of our Terms of Service, so breaking them can lead to your content being removed or your account being restricted or suspended.

We can't list every situation. When something isn't covered, moderators will use their judgement, guided by the spirit of these rules.

Respect other riders

• No harassment or bullying. Don't insult, threaten, mock or pile on to other riders, and don't keep contacting someone who's made it clear they don't want to hear from you. Disagree about bikes, kit or riding as much as you like, but argue with the point, not the person.
• No hate. We don't allow content that attacks or demeans people because of their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age or any similar characteristic, or that uses slurs or hateful symbols.
• No threats or violence. Don't threaten, encourage or celebrate violence against anyone, including "jokes" about running someone off the road or road rage.
• Respect privacy. Don't share someone's personal information, such as their home address, phone number, workplace or where they keep their bike, without their permission. Think before posting photos or videos of other people, or other riders' number plates, in a way that singles them out.
• Be yourself. Don't pretend to be another person, club, dealer or brand, or create accounts to mislead people. Parody and fan accounts must make clear that's what they are.

Keep it safe and legal

• No dangerous riding on public roads. Don't post content that promotes or glorifies street racing, stunts or wheelies on public roads, riding at dangerous speeds, evading the police, or riding without a licence, insurance or while impaired. Track days, organised events and private land are fine. Share the thrill, not the risk.
• Nothing illegal. Don't post, sell or promote anything illegal, such as stolen bikes or parts, illegal drugs, weapons, or ways to commit crime (for example how to disable a tracker or clone a number plate).
• Zero tolerance for child sexual abuse. Any content that sexualises children is removed immediately, the account is closed, and we report it to the authorities.
• No terrorism or violent extremism. We remove content that supports or promotes terrorist or violent extremist organisations.
• Self-harm and suicide. Don't post content that encourages self-harm or suicide. If you're struggling, you're not alone: in the UK and Ireland you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.
• No sexual content. Don't post nudity or sexually explicit content.

Keep it genuine

• No spam. Don't post the same thing over and over, flood hashtags, send unwanted messages in bulk, or use fake likes and follows.
• No scams or fraud. Don't trick people out of money, personal details or sign-in details, or advertise fake giveaways or "investment opportunities".
• No harmful misinformation. Don't share false information that could put people in danger, such as fake safety recalls or dangerous "maintenance tips".
• Advertising and promotion. Riders, clubs and businesses are welcome to share what they do, but keep promotion relevant and don't let it take over. Paid advertising goes through us, and items for sale belong in the marketplace.
• Respect other people's work. Only post photos, videos, music and writing you made yourself or have permission to use. See our Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy.
• One account per rider. Don't create new accounts to get round a block, restriction or suspension.

Clubs

Clubs are run by their owners and officers, who can set extra rules for their members. Club rules can be stricter than these guidelines, but never more relaxed. Club officers should moderate their club fairly, keep members' details private and use the roster only to run the club.

Buying and selling

Listings and offers must follow our Marketplace Rules. Describe items honestly, keep to deals you've agreed, and only leave reviews based on a real transaction.

Reporting a problem

If you see something that breaks these guidelines, report it using the ⋯ menu on the post, comment, message, profile, club, listing. Reports are confidential: the rider you report isn't told who reported them.

You can also take control of your own experience: block someone to stop all contact between you, or mute them so you no longer see their posts. Settings → Privacy lets you choose who can message, reply to or mention you.

If someone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services first.

How we enforce these guidelines

Our moderators review reports and decide what to do based on how serious the problem is, whether it was deliberate and whether it has happened before. Depending on that, we may:

• remove the content and tell you why;
• send you a warning, which you'll see the next time you use Throttle;
• restrict your account for a set time, so you can browse but can't post, comment, message or create anything;
• suspend your account for a set time, or permanently for the most serious or repeated problems;
• block the email addresses or networks used to break the rules or to get round a suspension.

The most serious problems, such as child sexual abuse, credible threats of violence or fraud, can lead to permanent suspension straight away and may be reported to the police.

We'll normally tell you what we've done and why, and when a restriction or suspension ends. If you reported something, we'll tell you whether we took action, but not what action we took against another rider.

Appeals

If your account is suspended, you can appeal once from the suspension page, explaining why you think the decision was wrong. A moderator will review it and let you know the outcome. For other decisions, such as removed content or a warning, you can ask us to look again through Help & support.

Changes to these guidelines

We update these guidelines as Throttle and our community grow. The version history at the end of this page lists what changed.