Group Riding Safety!!

 Group riding is fun and challenging, especially when we get larger groups together.  We all can get distracted while on a ride.  Following these common guidelines will help us stay safer.  They help us prepare for the ride, remind us to stay in the proper riding formation, stay a safe distance from other riders in the group, understand how to deal with group separation and traffic safety concerns.  We all want to enjoy the ride and get home safe without incident.  Many of these are recommendations are from the MSF  (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).

It is extremely important that each individual rider follow the basic group riding guidelines listed below.   

• Familiarize yourself with the route.  If you’re knowledgeable with mobile phone navigation or bike navigation systems, utilize the GPS map link or gpx link.  If you don’t like electronics or have a hard time using them, print a hard copy of the map route.  It is included in the map/route link with each ride.  At a minimum know the final destination. If you get separated from the group you can use Google Maps on your phone to route you to the final stop.  It may not be the exact same route as the rest of the group but it will get you there.  
• Arrive at the meet location with a full tank.
• Attend the pre-ride safety meeting.
• During the ride, the preferred formation is the “staggered formation”.  The group leader starts off on the left side of the lane; the next rider would stagger to the right side of the lane and so on with two (2) seconds behind the rider in front of you and one (1) second to the rider in front of the lane split. (Don’t crowd and do not pass other riders in the group).

• When you navigate curved/winding roads or road conditions that dictate that a single file formation is safer, stay in “single file formation” and give plenty of space to the rider in front of you and remember to increase your spacing to two seconds with the rider who is now directly in front of you.  (Don’t crowd).  
• If someone plans to leave during the ride, be sure to have a plan in place to reassemble the staggered formation.  While doing this, riders move up to the next available position — and not pass each other. This can help minimize risks that riders may face when passing others within a single lane.

• Don’t ride side-by-side in the same lane. This is because you may not have enough room if you need to swerve to avoid a car or oncoming hazard.
• Group separation.  If other vehicles enter the middle of the group or separation occurs at intersections, stay in formation and don’t try to speed up and break traffic laws to catch up.  The group should be in radio communication with the lead and sweep to keep everyone together.  If needed, the sweep can take the lead of the back group or the lead can pull over in a safe location and allow riders to re-group.  You can always catch up at the next stop.  
• There will come a time when you will need to pass a vehicle traveling in the lane in front of you. In order to safely pass the vehicle, do so one motorcycle at a time.
• Ride your own ride.  Ride at speeds that are safe for your skill level.  The leader should slow down to keep the group in formation.  Be aware of traffic, road conditions and traffic signals ahead at all times.  Don’t assume the rider ahead of you has seen hazards ahead – they may ride right into danger.  Also avoid tunnel vision and don’t assume it’s safe to negotiate that turn the bike ahead of you just made – conditions can change quickly. 
• Do not block traffic at intersections so riders can stay together.  It is not legal.  Only emergency personnel, people involved in highway repairs, and crossing guards can legally interfere with traffic.  If you conduct yourself in this manner you may be subject to being ticketed and to civil liability if you cause or contribute to a collision. You do not have emergency lighting, are not trained and have no authority in law.
• Have an Emergency Notification Card on your person or your motorcycle.  If you are involved in an accident and cannot relay contact information we need to be able to contact your next of kin.  There are several templates available on the Internet to print out a card.  A simple handwritten note (legible) taped inside a saddlebag or trunk will work.