A Guide for Safe Group Rides

Our common goal is to have a safe, organized and enjoyable ride.  Whether our group is large or small, our ride will be more enjoyable if we follow some common guidelines.   Lets review some of the dynamics and techniques for a group ride and evaluate safe methods to move a group safely down the highway.  If we observe the following we can all enjoy our group rides!

The Road Captain

• Think of a group of motorcycles like a train with cars hitched together by 10-foot bungee cords.  That’s why a ride captain pulls out slowly and increases speed gradually to allow the last person to get rolling before reaching cruising speed.   When approaching slower speed zones, the road captain should decelerate the group before the speed zone to allow the rear drivers to arrive without a sudden reduction of speed.  

The Formation

• Ride in a staggered formation.  A staggered formation allows more maneuvering room than a side-by-side formation.  In a staggered formation, you ride in the opposite wheel track from the rider ahead of you.  That is, if he is in the left wheel track, you take the right track.  This formation allows machines in either column to temporarily move sideways to avoid hazards and provides a slightly better view of other riders.  Follow 1-second behind the rider in the other wheel track, which puts you 2-seconds behind the driver in your wheel track ahead.   If any rider can’t maintain a 2-second following distance, it is acceptable for following riders to pass and re-reform a correct staggered formation.
•  Keep the formation together.   If the group gets spread apart because riders are not paying attention, it may cause problems.  When a rider drops back an extra 8 or 10 seconds, it’s just enough to allow a following car to pass and cause the last three riders to miss a green light.

The Green Light

• Riders are expected to obey the law and all traffic signals.   Avoid the temptation to speed up to run yellow light to stay with the group.  Riders at the tail-end may panic to run a red light.  In practical terms, with a series of signal lights the leader will get stopped as often as tail riders, and everyone will pass through all the intersections at about the same rate.   The group ahead will slow down and to allow you to catch up, or if it’s safe to do so, we will stop to allow everyone to catch up.

Communication

• Inform the group if anyone needs to split off from the group so we won’t waste time looking for “stranded” riders.  Clubs who ride together often find it useful to use CB radios.  The captain can explain what’s coming up next, and tail end Charlie can report what’s happening at the rear.   Agree at the group meeting what channel you will use.  If necessary, it’s “Charlie” who will drop back to assist a rider with a problem.  I may not be safe for everyone to stop!

• Hand and light signals are quick ways to communicate.   Potholes or other road hazards should be pointed at and all riders should pass the signal back.  Where a road narrows, the leader may signal 1 finger to shift to single file.  Two fingers form staggered formation.  An open & closed fist signals to tighten-up the formation.  A Flashing high beam signals something needs your attention to a driver ahead.

Getting Stopped

• With a little experience, a group can get parked quickly and safely.  The best scenario is to motor into a parking lot and park side-by-side to conserve space.  Riders should pull up to the left of each rider ahead, so that everybody can immediately back into the parking space without waiting.  PLEASE - Be careful to avoid leaving stranded riders out in traffic like sitting ducks!