Group riding essentials – ride safe!

April 12, 2:01 PMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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We all recognize the risks inherent in motorcycling.  So, it’s particularly important to understand that the nature of group riding increases some of those risks.  As a leader or a member of a group that rides together, it’s essential to make sure all riders understand the rules of the road.  To the extent that it's possible, members should aspire to "learn the easy way" -- because out on the road, "learning the hard way" is no way to learn.

Some of this material is very basic.  But, if you're not familiar with group riding, or you haven't followed these practices before, it's essential for everyone's safety that you understand and follow these basic guidelines.

Group riding is an opportunity for like-minded riders to come together to have a great time on the road, enjoy the camaraderie of group-riding, follow new routes, and explore new experiences -- safely.  To that end, there are a number of widely accepted principles that are essential for keeping all the members of the group safe:

- Following distance - following distance is essential to the safety of the entire group.  A bike crashing out in a turn can take out the entire group behind him (or her) if they're following too close.  You need to be able to trust that the rider behind you can stop in time if you make an abrupt control change.  And, you need room ahead to enable you to react to road conditions, traffic, wildlife, etc.  That means: Two seconds behind the rider ahead in single-file line, and a minimum of one second to the rider staggered to your left or right when in staggered formation (two seconds to the rider immediately ahead).

- Do NOT use the spacing of the bikers ahead of you as a gauge for your spacing.  Ride your own ride, and if you see others riding too close, encourage them to separate.  You’ll all live longer!

- In staggered formation, know your place in the order, and hold it throughout the ride.  Lead rider staggered to the left, with his partner trailing one second behind to the right.  That pattern should be repeated down the line.  Riders on the left should stay to the left when stopping, and riders on the right should approach at an appropriate speed and stop along side.  When pulling away, the bike to the left should lead, and the bike to the right follows at one second spacing.  Bikes down the line should follow in turn.

- When changing lanes, sweepers (trailing riders) may move to block traffic as needed.  The rest of the group should follow IN ORDER from the head of the line to the tail.  Do NOT change lanes erratically or in advance of the riders ahead of you.  And, DO keep an eye out for traffic caught in the midst of the group.  The lead bike won't always be able to change lanes for the whole group.  Again, ride your own ride!  Follow the bike immediately ahead when safe, but make sure you're not following blindly!

- Group leaders may want to consider organizing different levels of rides, and clearly communicating the rules of the road for each.  For example, an "easy ride" is planned with any and all riders in mind; routes along easy roads following posted speed limits, "intermediate" rides for intermediate to experienced riders (2 years / 2,000 miles minimum), and "advanced" rides for experienced riders (4 years / 10,000 miles minimum, with prior group-ride experience).  Members should pay close attention to the class of the ride, and when in doubt, talk with the group leader in advance of the ride.

- Respect your fellow riders, respect the road, and respect the drivers around you.  We all appreciate the fantastic power of our bikes, and it's fun to exercise that power.  But, it's also essential to ride with discipline and appropriate restraint.  Your life and the lives of the riders around you depend on it!  That means: no stunting (wheelies, stoppies, burnouts), no passing, no passing over the double-yellow, and maintaining speeds appropriate for the road and traffic conditions.

- Ride your own ride!  It's your job to keep yourself safe, set a good example for others in the group, and keep them safe.  If you are at all uncomfortable, SLOW DOWN.  If you're uncomfortable about the rider(s) behind you, let them know, or talk with the group leader at the next break.

- Look out for your fellow rider!  If you see the bike behind you dropping back, slow down.  That'll signal up the entire column and will help keep everyone together, and enable the group to react if there's a problem.  (Don't confuse good following distance with "dropping back.")

- Learn the route before joining the ride.  You'll be able to relax and ride at your own pace if you know where you're going.  Don't rely on the ride leader or the group to ensure that you know where you're going.  If you get separated, you should still be able to find your way along the route.

- Communicate!  If you have a problem, need to depart from the route, or are somehow altering your participation, make sure you communicate that to the group leader.

- Prior to the ride, the group leader should go over the route, the rules for the road, planning for stops along the route, and hand-signals they will use.  They should also work with members to designate teams of six to eight bikes along with lead and tail riders for each team.  If you have any questions or concerns, speak up!

- Most importantly: Always ride your own ride.  Ride safe!  Stay up!

Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) group riding guidance:
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

AMA group riding tips:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/Riderresc/groupRide.asp

Group riding hand signals:
http://www.njmc.org/etiquette/

Video: MSF Part 3 - Guide to Group Riding

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• Seattle: Why motorcyclists can't live in Oregon